The low pressure area (LPA) near the extreme northern Luzon will likely develop into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Weather specialist Benison Estareja said the next tropical cyclone will be named "Gorio."
PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 550 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes at around 10 a.m., and is expected to move northeast towards the northern boundary of the Philippine area of responsibility in the next few hours.
It said the weather disturbance is already enhancing the southwest monsoon, locally called as "habagat," and may bring moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Batanes, and Babuyan group of islands in the next 24 hours.
Light to moderate with at times heavy monsoon rains may also prevail over Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, Cavite, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.
PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.