LPA rains to continue in Palawan; ITCZ to bring isolated rain showers to Visayas, Mindanao
The low pressure area (LPA) embedded within the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will continue to bring cloudy weather with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Palawan until the weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, May 5.
As of 3 a.m., the LPA was about 95 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
According to PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja, the LPA is still moving westward and may cross mainland Palawan in the coming hours.
It will most likely be over the West Philippine Sea by Friday evening.
Estareja said the LPA has a moderate chance of developing into a tropical depression, and may continue to bring rains across most of Palawan.
It will be named “Betty” if it becomes a tropical depression while inside the country’s area of responsibility, he said.
Moreover, PAGASA is monitoring another LPA outside the country’s area of responsibility or about 1,365 kilometers east of Mindanao.
Estareja said the LPA has no direct effect on any part of the country so far and has a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.
He pointed out that both LPAs are embedded within the ITCZ, which is an imaginary line where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge.
Isolated rain showers and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ may affect Visayas and Mindanao, he added.
Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will remain hot and humid due to partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.