LPA seen off Southern Mindanao

Satellite Image as of 4:32 p.m., 19 July 2013. pagasa image

MANILA, Philippines—A low pressure area embedded in the intertropical convergence zone was spotted off Southern Mindanao by the state weather bureau Friday afternoon.

The LPA was last observed 460 kilometers east of Southern Mindanao, while an ITCZ was affecting Mindanao region, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

A monsoon trough was also affecting the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon.

Ricky Fabregas, weather forecaster of Pagasa, told INQUIRER.net that the LPA has chances of becoming a cyclone. Should it intensify into a tropical depression, it will be called “Jolina.”

“Mindanao, Ilocos region and the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Zambales and Bataan will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms,” Pagasa said.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

“Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to southeast with slight to moderate seas,” Pagasa said.

Thunderstorms

Pagasa also issued a thunderstorm advisory at 5:18p.m. in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Thunderstorm would affect Metro Manila, Tarlac (Sta Lucia, Odonel and Capaz), Batangas (Lobo and Batangas City), portions of Rizal, Cavite, Quezon, Laguna and nearby areas.

“All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods. Keep monitoring for updates,” Pagasa said.