The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Dec. 20 that a low-pressure area (LPA) and the shear line will continue to trigger heavy rains across a large portion of the country in the next three days.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Obet Badrina said the LPA still has a chance of redeveloping into a tropical depression by Sunday, Dec. 22, over the West Philippine Sea or while exiting the Philippine area of responsibility.
The LPA was spotted over the coastal waters of Mahinog, Camiguin, early Friday morning.
Badrina added that in addition to the LPA, the shear line, formed by the collision of cold winds from the northeast monsoon (amihan) and warm winds from the easterlies, could also cause heavy rainfall.
In its heavy rainfall outlook, PAGASA said the combined effects of the LPA and shear line may cause heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) over Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte on Friday.
Moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail over Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
On Saturday, Dec. 21, heavy to intense rainfall may be experienced in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Palawan.
Moderate to heavy rainfall may also persist in Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
Heavy to intense rainfall may continue to affect Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes by Sunday.
Moderate to heavy rainfall may also continue in Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
Badrina also said that the amihan may bring cloudy skies and rains to Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora.
PAGASA warned that the rains could trigger flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas, particularly mountainous or flood-prone areas.