Pagasa: Cloudy, wet Friday as LPA nears

MANILA, Philippines —  Cloudy skies and rains are expected nationwide on Friday due to a low-pressure area inside the Philippine are of responsibility and the shear line, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja said there is a high chance of rain in Luzon due to the two weather disturbances, particularly in the Bicol region, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas. 

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may experience rains due to localized thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon.

The LPA and shear line are also expected to bring cloudy skies and possible heavy rains to the Visayas and Mindanao. 

“So possible tayo magtaas ng mga thunderstorm advisories, rainfall advisories at mayroon ding heavy rainfall warnings possible lalo na dito sa kabisayaan sa pagsapit ng umaga’t gabi,” Estareja said.

(It is possible that we will raise thunderstorm advisories, rainfall advisories, and even heavy rainfall warnings in Visayas in the morning until evening.)

“Habang dito sa Mindanao, possible din yung minsang malalakas na ulan sa tanghali at hapon,” Estareja added.

(Meanwhile, in Mindanao, heavy rains can be expected by noontime and in the afternoon.)

 LPA’s track

Pagasa said the LPA was last spotted 610 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and is expected to move towards west-northwest in the next 24 hours where it will near the Caraga region and Eastern Visayas.

It will then approach Northern Samar and Bicol Region by Saturday, and east of Quezon and Aurora by Sunday.

The LPA will then start going north and approach east of Cagayan Valley.

Estareja said the LPA may intensify into a storm by Saturday and will be locally named “Rosal,” the 18th storm to hit the country this year.

Pagasa said moderate to strong winds from north to northwest are expected over Northern Luzon, with moderate to rough coastal waters.

The rest of Luzon (northeast to north), Visayas and Mindanao (northeast to northwest) meanwhile will have light to moderate winds with slight to moderate sea conditions.

Forecast temperature range in key cities/areas on Friday:

Laoag: 26 to 29 degrees Celsius

Tuguegarao: 23 to 27 degrees Celsius

Baguio City:  17 to 23 degrees Celsius

Metro Manila: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay City: 21 to 30 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius

Iloilo City: 26 to 30 degrees Celsius

Cebu: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City: 26 to 30 degrees Celsius

Cagayan De Oro City: 24 to 29 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Davao City: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius 

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