Low pressure area spotted east of Mindanao

A low pressure area off Mindanao may enter the Philippine territory this week and intensify into the first tropical depression for 2021, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday. If it develops into a tropical depression, it will be given the local name “Auring.” As of Tuesday afternoon, it was spotted 1,235 east of Mindanao and may enter the Philippine territory either on Tuesday night or Wednesday, Ana Clauren, Pagasa weather specialist, said. “Based on our forecast, it can take a west-northwest track and cross the Visayas-Mindanao area within the week,” Clauren said. The Visayas and Mindanao may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, due to the tailend of the frontal system. Light rain and cloudy skies will prevail in Luzon due to the northeast monsoon. —Jhesset O. Enano