PAGASA not ruling out possibility of LPA becoming tropical cyclone
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, July 12, said that it is not discounting the possibility that the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon may become a tropical depression in the coming days.
The LPA was last spotted 510 kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
As the weather disturbance is still over the sea, the warm waters may help fuel the intensification of the LPA into a tropical depression.
PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said there is a chance that the LPA may develop into a cyclone, and if it happens, it will be locally named “Dodong.”
Dodong is the fourth name on the PAGASA’s list of tropical cyclones for 2023.
Enhanced ‘habagat’
Badrina said the weather disturbance may persist as an LPA for the next 24 hours, but it may start to strengthen the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” which may result in rains across several parts of the country in the coming days. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the combined effects of the LPA and habagat will affect Bicol Region, Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Quezon province. PAGASA warned of flash floods or landslides due to some moderate to intermittent heavy rainfall in areas affected by these weather systems. Meanwhile, the remaining parts of the country, including Metro Manila, will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening. However, the occurrence of severe thunderstorms may also result in flooding or landslides, particularly in areas prone to these hazards.