Pagasa monitors cloud cluster that could turn into LPA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday it is monitoring a cloud cluster east of Mindanao that could develop into a low pressure area (LPA).

Pagasa weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said that there is no tropical cyclone that may form within or enter the Philippine area of responsibility, but noted that the potential LPA may affect the weather in Mindanao in the coming days.

“Base sa mga forecast model na tinitingnan, itong kalupaan sa may silangan ng Mindanao ay maaaring maging isang LPA na lalapit at babaybay sa Mindanao area, kaya antabayanan ang magiging epekto nito sa mga susunod na araw dito sa Mindanao area,” he said in a weather forecast.

(Based on forecast models, this cloud cluster east of Mindanao may turn into an LPA that could traverse Mindanao. Let us monitor the possible effects of this cloud cluster in Mindanao in the coming days.)

“Inaasahan natin ang makulimlim na panahon dyan sa may Davao area dahil sa inaasahang paglapit nitong cloud cluster o potential na maging LPA na magpapaulan dyan sa silangang bahagi ng Mindanao,” he added.

(We expect cloudy skies in Davao because of the possible movement of the cloud cluster or potential LPA that could bring rain in the eastern portion of Mindanao.)

But while the cloud cluster has yet to form into an LPA, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the easterlies are currently affecting the weather condition in the country.

The ITCZ is where winds coming from the northern and southern hemisphere converge, bringing clouds that cause rains, while the easterlies are warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean.

According to Ordinario, the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Caraga, Soccsksargen, and Davao Region for the rest of Friday.

The easterlies will continue to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

For Saturday, the country will experience fair and hot weather and possible isolated rain showers in the afternoon.

Below is the forecast temperature range in key cities or areas:

Metro Manila: 26 to 34 degrees Celsius
Baguio City: 16 to 25 degrees Celsius
Laoag City:  24 to 32 degrees Celsius
Tuguegarao: 23 to 35 degrees Celsius
Legazpi City: 26 to 31 degrees Celsius
Puerto Princesa City: 27 to 32 degrees Celsius
Tagaytay: 22 to 31 degrees Celsius
Kalayaan Islands: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius
Iloilo City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius
Cebu: 26 to 31 degrees Celsius
Tacloban City: 26 to 31 degrees Celsius
Cagayan De Oro City: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius
Zamboanga City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius
Davao City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

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Pagasa: Fair, hot Friday weather with possible isolated rain showers

EDV