By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The trough or extension of a low-pressure area (LPA) is not expected to become a tropical cyclone but may bring scattered rain showers over Mindanao this weekend.
(PAGASA/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical. and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Meno Mendoza said the LPA remains outside the country's area of responsibility or about 885 kilometers east-southeast of Mindanao on Saturday morning.
He warned those in Mindanao to take precautions against possible flash floods over low-lying areas or landslides in mountainous communities during severe thunderstorms.
Mendoza said the LPA has a slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" still prevailed over the rest of the country on Saturday, bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light "amihan" rains over Luzon and Visayas.
A gale warning remains in effect on Saturday due to rough to very rough seas triggered by the northeasterly surface wind flow.
Fishing boats and small sea craft were advised not to set sail into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, while larger sea vessels should remain alert against very rough sea conditions.
PAGASA sees the possible dissipation of the LPA and temporary weakening of the northeast monsoon by Sunday.
The warm and humid easterly winds originating from the Pacific will likely dominate across the country and bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, especially over the eastern section of Mindanao.
By Monday, PAGASA said a fresh surge of the "amihan" will bring cloudy skies with light rains over Batanes and Babuyan group of islands, while the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy weather with isolated light rains.
Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies.