By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The low pressure area (LPA) east of the country has a chance of progressing into a tropical cyclone that may bring rains of varying intensities over several areas throughout the week, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The LPA was estimated at 305 kilometers east-northeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte or still over the Philippine Sea around 3 p.m. Tuesday. As it is embedded in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), PAGASA said the combined effects of the ITCZ and LPA have started to bring scattered light to moderate rains becoming heavy during thunderstorms over Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte. PAGASA on Tuesday morning said the LPA will likely intensify into a tropical depression within 48 hours. "Due to its proximity to land, tropical cyclone wind signals may be hoisted immediately in the initial severe weather bulletin once this LPA develops into a tropical depression," the weather bureau said. Should it intensify into a tropical depression, the weather disturbance will be given the local name "Butchoy," the first cyclone this June and the second this year. By Wednesday, Palawan and the rest of Visayas will be partly cloudy to cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ and southwesterly wind flow. The southwesterly wind flow, which is being triggered by the LPA, is a precursor of the approaching rainy season. Therefore, the Philippines can expect the imminent onset of wet season in the country. This weather system may also bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur. Warm and humid weather conditions will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon but there remains a likelihood of isolated afternoon or evening rains and thunderstorms. Scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the LPA may also begin to be felt by Wednesday in Legazpi City, metro Cebu, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Valencia City. Warm mornings with a possibility of afternoon and evening rain showers and thunderstorms may persist over Metro Manila and Baguio City until Wednesday. By Thursday, Metro Manila and Baguio City will have cloudy skies, scattered rains, and thunderstorms due to the LPA. The same scenario is expected in Tuguegarao City, Angeles City, Tagaytay City, and Lipa City until the weekend. Based on PAGASA’s historical data, the formation of two to three tropical cyclones is likely in June, which will either make landfall over central Philippines or veer away from the country.