LPA to become tropical cyclone; bring rain to Visayas, Mindanao Dec 17

The low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) was forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone in 24 hours. Weather satellite image from Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) was forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone in 24 hours.

In a weathercast early Tuesday morning, Rhea Torres of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the LPA was “upgraded to high” as of 2 a.m., Dec. 17, “which means that in the next 24 hours, this LPA we are monitoring may become a tropical cyclone.”

Torres noted that until then, the LPA that is embedded in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will cause rain in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

The LPA was last spotted 155 kilometers east-southeast of Tagum City, Davao del Norte, according to Pagasa’s latest bulletin.

According to Torres, the LPA will trigger cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region.

“The cloud clusters brought by this LPA are already affecting most parts of Visayas and Mindanao. Expect rainy weather in many parts of Visayas and Mindanao today,” Torres explained in Filipino on Tuesday.

READ: LPA forms east of Mindanao

Three other weather systems—ITCZ, northeast monsoon, and shear line—are likewise influencing Tuesday’s atmospheric conditions in other parts of the country.

Torres said the shear line was forecast to cause cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the eastern sections of Southern Luzon, specifically the Bicol Region and Quezon.

She also said that the northeast monsoon, locally termed amihan, will affect Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora, with cloudy skies and rain anticipated.

READ: LPA near Mindanao being monitored by Pagasa

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rainfall likewise due to the northeast monsoon on Tuesday.

For the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, Torres said the effects of the ITCZ will prevail—overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

“Throughout the day, cloudy weather is what we’re expecting. Moderate to heavy rainfall is likewise possible,” the Pagasa weather specialist said in mixed Filipino and English.

Pagasa did not raise any gale warning over any of the country’s seaboards on Tuesday.