The low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao may develop into a tropical depression within 36 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Dec. 9.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said the LPA was last spotted 610 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur around 3 a.m., and may move towards Eastern Visayas or Bicol Region this weekend.
When it becomes a tropical depression, it will be given the local name “Rosal,” Estareja added.
Rosal will be the 18th tropical cyclone for 2022 and first for December.
“The LPA will be closest to Northern Samar and Bicol Region tomorrow (Dec. 10). By Sunday (Dec. 11), it will be in the east of Quezon and Aurora provinces and will begin moving north. That means, by Monday it will be in the east of Cagayan Valley and there is a great uncertainty whether it will recurve or move away from our country, or continue to move east of Batanes,” Estareja said.
In the next 24 hours, the trough or extension of the LPA may already bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Mindanao, Visayas, Bicol Region, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may also continue to affect Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte due to the shear line—a boundary line where the cold and warm air masses meet.
PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rains in areas affected by the trough of LPA and shear line.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant as severe thunderstorms may also cause flash floods or landslides, especially in areas prone to these hazards.