LPA east of Mindanao enters PAR; may develop into tropical depression

Pagasa weather update. GRAPHICS BY INQUIRER

Updated on May 23, 2024 at 12:34 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) located east of Mindanao entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

According to Pagasa in a press briefing, the LPA moved into PAR at around 5 a.m. and was last located 870 kilometers east of Southeastern Mindanao at 10 a.m.

READ: Pagasa: LPA forms east of Mindanao outside PAR

“Within 24 hours hanggang mamayang gabi ay posibleng LPA pa rin ito, at bukas ng umaga at saka natin makikita na ito ay lalakas bilang isang tropical depression,” Pagasa weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jordan said.

(Within 24 hours until tonight, it may still be an LPA, and tomorrow morning, we may see it develop into a tropical depression.)

Once a tropical depression, the storm will be named “Aghon,” marking the country’s first tropical cyclone in 2024.

It is forecast to move northwestward until Saturday, and then northeastward by Sunday.

During this period, the LPA may approach the eastern section of Visayas and Luzon with its eye remaining offshore.

READ: Pagasa forecasts 1 to 2 storms in May

“Pero hindi natin rinu-rule out ‘yung possibility, dahil medyo mahaba ‘yung ating forecast period, ay posibleng mas lumapit dito sa area ng Bicol Region at Eastern Visayas,” said  Clauren-Jordan.

(But we do not rule out the possibility, because our forecast period is quite long, that it may get closer to the areas of the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.)

“Kaya hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ruled out ‘yung possibility na mag-landfall ito,” she added.

(Until now, the possibility of it making landfall has not been ruled out.)

By Sunday, the weather phenomenon may strengthen further into a tropical storm and then a severe tropical storm as it moves to exit PAR.

Rainfall

While it remains relatively distant from the country’s landmass, Pagasa said the LPA’s trough may already bring light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.

By Friday, moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, with light to moderate rains possible over the Bicol Region, the rest of Caraga, and the rest of Eastern Visayas.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may then be possible over Catanduanes by Saturday, as well as in Camarines Sur, and Northern Samar.