LPA likely to intensify into tropical depression – Pagasa

THE low pressure area (LPA) off Quezon has a greater chance to escalate into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday.

According to weather specialist Rhea Torres, they are closely monitoring the movement of the weather disturbance as it is more likely to intensify into a storm.

She, however, declined to say as to when this would happen.

Based on Pagasa's 5 p.m. advisory, the LPA was estimated some 90 kilometers north-east of Infanta, also in the same province, or 85kms south-east of Baler, Aurora.

Over the next 24 hours, the state-run weather agency said Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) will likely have monsoon rains caused by LPA and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

“Flooding or landslides due to scattered to widespread rains are possible in these areas,” Torres said.

Pagasa said habagat will prevail over Bicol Region and Western Visayas where occasional rains will be experienced.

Meanwhile, Central and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) will have overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms also due to the same weather system.

The state weather bureau said the localized thunderstorms are affecting Caraga and Davao Region where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated downpour or thunderstorms will be likely.