LPA  to dampen Holy Week break

Clouds gather east of Mindanao where a low pressure area has been spotted on Apr. 12, 2017 (PAGASA satellite image)

MANILA — A low pressure area east of Mindanao is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday (Apr. 13) and bring rains in the eastern Visayas and portions of southern Luzon over the weekend.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA, that was, as of Wednesday noon, located at 1,415 kilometers east of Mindanao, would make landfall over eastern Visayas by early evening of Saturday, cross the southern Luzon-Visayas area and exit Mindoro by early morning of Monday.

During the weekend, the LPA is expected to dump moderate to ocasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms along its track particularly in the Bicol, Samar and Leyte areas; and bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in its peripheries in the rest of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Metro Manila may experience light rains starting Sunday afternoon up to Monday morning.

Prior the landfall, the LPA might intensify into a tropical depression packing winds from 45 to 61 kilometers per hour, and would be named “Crising,” said Renito Paciente, PAGASA assistant weather services chief. The LPA, which isn’t packing much water vapor is unlikely to develop into a stronger weather disturbance such as a typhoon, according to Paciente.

Should the LPA develop into a tropical depression, the PAGASA will issue a gale warning prohibiting small sea vessels from taking to sea. This would not affect RORO (roll-on roll-off) services, Paciente said.

The weather and the seas are still expected to be calm until the LPA makes landfall on Saturday. The first effects of the LPA will most likely be felt in the eastern parts of Visayas, Bicol, and Mindanao on Saturday morning.

The last time a tropical cyclone struck during the dry season was in 2014, and it didn’t make landfall, Paciente said. Usually, no tropical cyclones hit the country during April.

“So while we’re on vacation, let’s still be alert,” said Pagasa deputy administrator Landrico Dalida.  SFM