The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression Querubin weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) over the waters east of Mindanao on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 18.
As of 4 p.m., the center of the LPA was located 275 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
However, PAGASA said heavy rainfall may still affect several areas due to the combined effects of the LPA and the shear line—a weather system formed by the collision of cold winds from the amihan and warm winds from the easterlies.
It added that the LPA will traverse Mindanao, Sulu Sea, and Palawan from Friday to Sunday. A possible redevelopment into a tropical depression may occur once the LPA reaches the West Philippine Sea.
PAGASA said heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur from Wednesday to Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail over Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, and Davao Oriental.
From Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon, Dec. 20, heavy to intense rainfall may continue in Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
Moderate to heavy rainfall may be experienced in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur.
From Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, Dec. 21, heavy to intense rainfall may affect Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Dinagat Islands, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall may continue in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
PAGASA warned of flash floods or landslides in areas affected by the LPA and shear line.