Pagasa: LPA near E. Samar has potential to become first storm of 2021

MANILA, Philippines — A low pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, may turn into 2021’s first storm, the weather bureau said Tuesday.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather forecaster Benison Estareja said the LPA has a “50% chance” of intensifying into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours.

“Ito [LPA] ay may katamtamang taas o may katamtamang tsansa na maging isang bagyo so possible ay within the next 48 hours maging tropical depression,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

(The LPA has a slight chance of becoming a storm so it may turn into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours.)

“Pero nando’n din ‘yung scenario na dahil ito ay malapit na sa kalupaan ay manatili na lang as LPA at magpapaulan sa susunod na dalawang araw,” he added.

(But there is also the scenario that it will remain an LPA and will only bring rains in the next two days since it is close to land.)

Should the LPA become a tropical depression, it would be named “Auring,” Estareja said.

The LPA will bring cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms on Tuesday over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.

It will likewise cause cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Caraga, Western and Central Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon.

Pagasa warned residents that flash floods and landslides may occur.

The LPA was last spotted 65 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

JPV