The low pressure area (LPA) off the Pacific Ocean may not turn into a tropical depression but will likely move towards the eastern section of Mindanao by the end of the week, said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday afternoon, Dec. 20.
PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez said the chances remain low that the LPA will become a tropical cyclone within two to three days, based on the latest Global Spectral Model Wind Forecast.
However, he pointed out that the LPA will likely enter the PAR and move west towards eastern Mindanao by weekend.
"Sa mga kababayan natin, ngayon pa lamang pinapayuhan na natin sila na bagamat naghahanda tayo sa darating na kapaskuhan at patuloy pa rin tayong nagrerecover sa nagdaang bagyo, pinapayuhan natin ang lahat na maging habit po natin yung magmonitor ng daily weather forecast na ipinalalabas ng PAGASA (To our countrymen, we are advising them to make it a habit to monitor PAGASA's daily weather forecast, every 4 a.m. and 4 p.m., even though they are busy preparing for Christmas and still recovering from typhoon Odette," Perez said.
As of Monday afternoon, the shear line, also known as the tail-end of frontal system, and the northeast monsoon, locally called "amihan," remain the dominant weather systems in the country.
Due to the shear line, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Aurora, Batanes, Cagayan, Quirino, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya in the next 24 hours.
Those in these areas were advised to take precautions against possible flooding or landslides, especially during moderate to, at times, heavy rains.
PAGASA, meanwhile, said the amihan may bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA also warned the public that the occurrence of severe thunderstorms may sometimes trigger flash floods or landslides.