PAGASA: LPA to bring rains to Central Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday said Central Luzon will experience rains in the next two to three days due to a low pressure area (LPA).

The weather bureau reported that the LPA has been lingering in the Philippine Area of Responsibility for the past four days which will bring rains over parts of Luzon.

In a state news report, weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said the LPA also started to bring rains in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region last Thursday and Saturday.

As of 4 a.m. Sunday, the LPA was located some 215 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

The weather bureau said the LPA has a slim chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone and will not likely make a landfall. 

“Medyo mahina itong LPA na ito dahil kahit ang habagat ay halos hindi niya gaano nahihila. Kaya't sa ngayon, ang buong baybaying dagat ng ating bansa ay bahagya hanggang sa katamtaman lamang ang pag-alon,” weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said in a radio interview with DZMM.

According to Nonot, the LPA’s presence will carry cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over Central Luzon and the province of Rizal. The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will experience fair weather or partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

Quitlong advised the residents of Metro Manila to take precautionary measures with anticipated rains and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said in its weekly outlook that Palawan will have occasional rains since the LPA is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” over the area. Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula, meanwhile, will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms.

The weather agency said the coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate due to the LPA.