LPA outside PAR develops into tropical depression on Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — The low pressure area (LPA) monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) developed into a tropical depression on Saturday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

According to Pagasa, the tropical depression was formed at 2 p.m.

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Pagasa said in its 4 p.m. weather update that the tropical depression was last located 900 kilometers southwest of southwestern Luzon, packing a maximum wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 75 kph.

It was moving east-northeast at 15 kph.

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Meanwhile, Pagasa said in its 4 a.m. weather report that an LPA located in Mindanao on Saturday may develop into a tropical cyclone within 24 to 48 hours. However, this potential cyclone was not expected to enter the PAR.

READ: LPA forms east of Mindanao, damp weather likely in C. Visayas