LPA to drench most of Visayas, Mindanao; TD may enter PAR this weekend
MANILA, Philippines – A low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is expected to bring rain showers to most parts of Visayas and Mindanao, while a tropical depression (TD) outside PAR may enter the country’s monitoring area this weekend, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the LPA was last spotted 670 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
“The likelihood of it developing into a tropical cyclone is low, but as a low-pressure area, we expect it to bring rains, especially over parts of the Visayas and Mindanao,” weather specialist Chenel Dominguez, speaking Filipino, said in Pagasa’s latest briefing.
The LPA is forecast to move across Mindanao toward southern Palawan, with rains expected to begin affecting eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao by Wednesday evening.
Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte are expected to see cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the LPA.
TD outside PAR may intensify into a storm or stronger
Meanwhile, a TD outside PAR continues to be monitored.
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As of 3 a.m., it was located 2,395 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.
“For our forecast track, it may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Friday evening and Saturday. It is also possible that it could enter the PAR as a full-fledged tropical storm or even stronger,” Dominguez said in Filipino.
Once inside PAR, the weather disturbance will be given the local name “Caloy,” the third tropical cyclone for 2026.
However, Dominguez noted that environmental conditions may limit its intensification.
“While it is within the PAR, we are also seeing that it may weaken due to unfavorable environmental conditions,” she explained.
Despite this, Pagasa did not rule out the possibility of the system approaching the eastern section of the country.
Fair, humid weather
Moreover, the easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, continue to prevail, bringing generally fair but humid weather conditions.
In Metro Manila and the rest of the country, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are expected.
Pagasa also reminded the public to take precautions against heat-related risks as high heat indices persist in several areas.
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The heat index in Metro Manila may range from 39°C to 41°C, while Tacloban City is expected to record the highest index at 45°C.
“Even with weather systems affecting the country, we still expect hot and humid conditions, so we are reminding the public to take precautions against the health effects of the heat,” Dominguez said. /jpv
