Pagasa monitors LPA that may develop into tropical cyclone

The state weather bureau is tracking a low pressure area (LPA) that may intensify into a tropical cyclone by weekend.

The LPA was last spotted 2,440 kilometers east of Mindanao, Gener Quitlong of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday afternoon.

While it has no direct effect to the country, it is expected to intensify into a tropical depression within 24 hours.

“Inaasahan na Linggo ng hapon o gabi ay papasok ito sa Philippine area of responsibility at bibigyan ito ng local name na Basyang,” Quitlong said.

(It is expected on Sunday that the LPA will enter the Philippine area of responsibility and this will be given a local name of Basyang.)

It is forecast to make landfall as a tropical storm in the northern part of Mindanao or southern part of Visayas on Monday night or Tuesday morning.

It will head toward Palawan by Feb. 14, if it continues to stay on its track.

Another LPA 355 kilometers east of Surigao City is expected to dissipate within 24 to 48 hours, Quitlong said.

The northeast monsoon will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains over Northern Luzon.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains, Pagasa said. /jpv