Pagasa: LPA spotted east of Baler, Aurora

MANILA, Philippines – The state weather bureau on Wednesday said a low-pressure area (LPA) has been spotted east of the country.

In its 4a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the LPA was last spotted 1,335 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

The LPA, which is not yet directly affecting any part of the country, may strengthen into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours, said weather specialist Loriedin Dela Cruz.

It is slowly moving northwest, she said but added that it might weaken once it reaches the northeasterly surface windflow which produces cold winds not favorable for weather systems like LPA.

Meantime, Batanes and the Babuyan group of islands are expected to experience cloudy skies and light rain showers.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are likewise expected in Mindanao and Eastern Visayas, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers may prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. /gsg