By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz
A low pressure area (LPA) embedded inside the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will likely bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over parts of Visayas and Mindanao this weekend, according to the weather bureau.
(Keith Bacongco/MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of the LPA at 585 kilometers east of Davao City on Saturday morning. However, the chance of the LPA to intensify into a tropical depression remains low.
While it is not expected to develop into a cyclone, the LPA and the ITCZ is already bringing rain showers and thunderstorms over Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and the entire Mindanao on Saturday.
PAGASA advised the public to take precautions against possible flooding or landslides in the event of severe thunderstorms.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to experience warm and humid weather conditions apart from isolated rain showers in the afternoon or evening due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms.
The weather bureau has not issued a gale warning on Saturday. Thus fisherfolk and seafarers are safe to sail.
However, they should remain alert due to moderate to rough seas over the eastern Visayas and eastern Mindanao. Slight to moderate seas will prevail over the rest of the country.
By Sunday, PAGASA said Mindanao, Palawan, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas may have cloudy skies, scattered rain showers, and isolated thunderstorms as the LPA is expected to be over the Sulu Sea after crossing Mindanao landmass.
The rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.