LPA east of Luzon may become tropical depression in next 36-48 hours — Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — State meteorologists are continuously monitoring the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon as there is a chance it develops into a tropical depression in the next 36 to 48 hours.

Weather updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Thursday afternoon showed that as of now, the LPA intensifies the southwest monsoon or Habagat, which would then bring rains in Visayas, Mindanao, and the northern tip of Northern Luzon.

The LPA remains inside the Philippine area of responsibility, at a distance of 1,045 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

“Ang nabanggit nating low pressure area sa loob ng 24 oras ay maliit pa ang tsansang maging bagyo pero patuloy tayong magmomonitor dahil inaasahan na for the next 36 to 48 hours ay posible po itong maging isang tropical depression or bagyo,” weather specialist Chris Perez said.

(While the low-pressure area that we mentioned has a small chance of becoming a storm in the next 24 hours, we are continuously monitoring it because we are expecting it to be a tropical depression after 36 to 48 hours.)

“‘Yong hangin na associated with the low pressure area […] with the potential weather disturbance ay halos nagiging mabagal ang pagkilos dito nga sa parteng ito ng Philippine Sea.  So hanggang sa Sabado po ay inaasahan natin mamo-monitor pa rin natin itong potential weather disturbance,” he added.

(The windflow associated with the low-pressure area or the potential weather disturbance is moving slowly over the Philippine Sea.  So this means we can expect to monitor this potential weather disturbance until Saturday.)

Despite the LPA and the southwest monsoon, weather in most parts of Luzon for Friday would continue to be warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 33 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, 24 to 33 degrees in Tuguegarao, and 25 to 33 degrees in Puerto Princesa.

Meanwhile, the Bicol Region may also see rains, which would lead to slightly lower temperatures in Legazpi, at 26 to 31 degrees.

Hot and humid weather is also expected in the Visayas, but occasional rain showers and thunderstorms brought by the monsoon and the LPA may be felt in Tacloban and Cebu, which may register temperatures of 26 to 31 degrees Celsius

Davao and Cagayan de Oro’s temperature may peak to just 32 degrees Celsius due to expected rain on Friday.

A gale warning is still raised over the seaboards of extreme northern Luzon and the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.  This means that small boats are not allowed to set sail for now.

Waters west of Ilocos Region and east of Cagayan Valley will be moderate to rough and moderate over west of Central Luzon and Palawan, and west of Bicol Region and Western Visayas.

Meanwhile, sea conditions for the rest of the country would be slight to moderate.