MANILA, Philippines — There is a huge possibility that the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao will develop into a tropical cyclone by next week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday afternoon.
Updates from the state weather bureau showed the LPA was last spotted 570 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. However, Pagasa weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said that the LPA is expected to stay inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
“Binabantayan natin ang nasabing low pressure area dahil malaki ang potential nito na maging bagyo at base nga sa ating analysis na sa susunod na linggo ay meron tayong bagyo sa loob ng ating area of responsibility,” Ordinario said.
(We are monitoring the low-pressure area because there is a big possibility that this may become a storm. Based on our analysis, we may have a storm next week in our area of responsibility.)
But for now, the gloomy weather and scattered rains experienced in different parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, are brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat, which continues to bring cloud bands from the western side of the country.
Cloudy skies are expected to persist from Friday toward the weekend in the Cordilleras, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Region and the Soccsksargen area.
Due to the cloudy weather and rains, forecast temperatures across Luzon on Saturday would be lower than usual, at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, 25 to 31 degrees in Tuguegarao, 26 to 31 degrees in Laoag, 17 to 24 degrees in Baguio, 22 to 29 degrees in Tagaytay, 25 to 32 degrees in Legazpi, and 24 to 30 degrees in Puerto Princesa.
Similar scenarios are expected over some parts of Visayas and Mindanao, as Iloilo would have temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees Celsius, Cebu with 24 to 31 degrees, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro with 24 to 30 degrees.
The eastern side would generally be warmer as Tacloban may register temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees Celsius and Davao with 25 to 32 degrees.
No gale warning has been raised, which means fisherfolk and small boat operators can still set sail in any part of the country.
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