LPA may form near Batanes by weekend

MANILA, Philippines —  A low-pressure area (LPA) is expected to form northeast of Batanes over the weekend, according to the state weather bureau. 

Citing a report from the Climatory Division of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), weather specialist Benison Estareja said the potential LPA would also trigger the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” in the next few days. 

“By tomorrow hanggang sa weekend, mataas ang tsansa na magkakaroon tayo muli ng panibagong weather disturbance dito sa may silangan ng Taiwan sa may northeast of Batanes,” Estareja said in an early morning forecast.

(By tomorrow until the weekend, there is a high chance that we will have another weather disturbance east of Taiwan or northeast of Batanes.)

“Itong LPA at itong si Tropical Storm Maria na papalayo ng bansa ang mag t-trigger ng habagat or southwest monsoon sa mga susunod na araw,” he added. 

(The possible LPA and Tropical Storm Maria, which is moving away from the country, will trigger the habagat or southwest monsoon in the next few days.)

Estareja said Maria was last spotted 2,230 km east northeast of Batanes, outside the Philippine area of responsibility. 

Currently, habagat and localized thunderstorms continue to bring rain in most parts of the country.