LPA, 'habagat' combination to induce scattered rain showers in Visayas, Mindanao


Scattered rain showers due to a low pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon or "habagat" will continue to be felt over a large part of the country within 24 hours.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of the LPA at 600 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or inside the country's area of responsibility early Wednesday.

Weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said the LPA has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression as of Tuesday, but he is not ruling out the weather disturbance's possible development beyond the 24-hour monitoring period.

The LPA may bring scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rain showers and thunderstorms over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Visayas except its western portion, and Mindanao within 24 hours.

The southwest monsoon may also bring scattered rain showers over the western parts of Visayas and Mindanao, particularly Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Bulquerin said generally fair weather may prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon with only some isolated rain showers that may be felt in the afternoon or evening due to localized thunderstorms.

The public, however, should remain vigilant in the event of heavy or prolonged rainfall as flooding and landslides are possible especially in high-risk areas, PAGASA warned.

Based on the PAGASA's extended weather outlook for key areas, monsoon rains may be experienced in Metro Manila, Tuguegarao City, Tagaytay City, and Lipa City towards the weekend.

A gale warning has not been issued on Wednesday across the country's coasts thus fisherfolk and seafarers are safe to sail.

Slight to moderate seas are expected over the entire archipelago, unless severe offshore thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds occur that may cause big waves.