A low pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon are expected to bring widespread rains and thunderstorms across most of the country in the next few days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, July 18.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Aldczar Aurelio said the LPA, which was last located in the vicinity of Catbalogan City, Samar, has a low chance of developing into a tropical depression but may cross the landmass and bring light to heavy rains across parts of the country until the weekend.
Initially, PAGASA projected the LPA to intensify into a tropical cyclone.
Although it is not expected to become a cyclone, Aurelio said the LPA may cause scattered rains and thunderstorms in the Visayas, Bicol Region, Caraga, Marinduque, and Romblon in the next 24 hours.
The trough or extension of the LPA may also bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon.
The enhanced southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” may also trigger scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Bataan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
Under these conditions, Aurelio warned of potential flooding or landslides, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and areas experiencing significant antecedent rainfall.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA also warned the public about severe thunderstorms that could trigger flash floods or landslides.