Low pressure area nears PH

MANILA, Philippines — The weather bureau is keeping a close watch on a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippines that has a “strong possibility” of becoming a tropical cyclone on Monday or Tuesday.

The LPA was located 2,000 kilometers east of Mindanao, or outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa weather specialist Raymond Ordinario told the Inquirer that the LPA was likely to enter the Philippines either on Monday or Tuesday.

It has high chances of developing into a tropical cyclone, Ordinario said.

Should it develop into a tropical cyclone, it will be locally named “Odette,” and is expected to cross Southern Luzon and Visayas once it enters PAR, he added.

Pagasa said cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced in Calabarzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas, and in the provinces of Marinduque and Oriental Mindoro caused by the shear line.