The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring a new low pressure area (LPA) east of Davao City, which may develop into a tropical depression in the next few days.

In the PAGASA’s public weather forecast on Friday morning, July 8, the LPA was last spotted 835 kilometers east of Davao City.

Weather specialist Benison Estareja said the weather disturbance may maintain its strength in the next 24 hours but as it traverses the eastern part of the country, particularly over the Philippine Sea, the chances of the LPA becoming a tropical cyclone also increase.

The next tropical cyclone that will form inside the country’s area of responsibility will be given a local name, “Ester.”

Estareja said the southwest monsoon or “habagat” will be the dominant weather system in the country in the next 24 hours.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila, Cagayan, Isabela, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

PAGASA advised those in these areas to remain vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides caused by “moderate to at times heavy rains.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers.1

PAGASA also warned the public against flash floods or landslides that may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.