The low pressure area (LPA) in the country was expected to traverse Sulu Sea and southern portion of Palawan while moving west-northwest on Friday, March 12, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 11 a.m. weather advisory issued on Friday, PAGASA estimated the location of the LPA at 70 kilometers southwest of Zamboanga City, as of 10 a.m.
PAGASA said the weather disturbance is still less likely to develop into a tropical depression but it may bring moderate to heavy rains over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands within 24 hours.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also prevail in Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Quezon, Palawan, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur.
PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant as flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall, especially in areas identified to be highly susceptible to these hazards.
Adjacent or nearby areas could also experience flooding even in the absence of heavy or prolonged rainfall due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels, the weather bureau said.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" may prevail over Batanes and Babuyan Islands, bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated light rains.
The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorm.
PAGASA also advised the public against possible floods or landslides during severe thunderstorm activity.
The weather bureau has not issued a gale warning on Friday as sea conditions over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and eastern seaboard of Visayas will be moderate to rough, while it will be slight to moderate over the rest of the country.
Seafarers and fisherfolk are safe to sail but were still advised to observe caution when venturing out to sea.