Yellow rainfall alert in Metro Manila early Thursday, new LPA spotted

MT Satellite image August 22, 2013 7:32 AM. Screengrab from https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

MANILA, Philippines—The state weather bureau said a yellow rainfall alert was still in effect in Metro Manila Thursday morning even if tropical storm “Maring” (international name: Trami) has exited the Philippines.

Samuel Duran of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Maring, which is heading toward mainland China, was still indirectly affecting Metro Manila and other provinces in northern Luzon.

“Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over Metro Manila and portions of Rizal within the next three hours,” Pagasa said in its weather bulletin issued at 4:30 a.m., warning of flooding in low-lying areas.

An orange rainfall alert (heavy to intense rains) was raised briefly past 1 a.m., after Metro Manila was placed under yellow rainfall alert nearly the whole day of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, heavy to intense rain was affecting Bataan and portions of Pampanga, Bulacan and Zambales, Pagasa said.

New low pressure area
A new low pressure area was also spotted 1,200 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, but was still too far to directly affect the country, Duran said.

He added that the LPA could gain more strength as it hovered over the ocean and would probably enter the Philippine area of responsibility by weekend.

If it intensifies into a cyclone, it will be locally called “Nando.”

Southwest monsoon continuing

The southwest monsoon continues to affect Luzon, Pagasa also said in its weather bulletin.

“The regions of Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera will experience monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” Pagasa said.

Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and the island of Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Palawan, Bicol Region and the Visayas will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the south to southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough, Pagasa said.