The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Tuesday, Sept. 10 that one of the two low pressure areas (LPAs) near the country’s area of responsibility may enhance the effects of the southwest monsoon (habagat) and bring widespread rains to several areas beginning Wednesday or Thursday, Sept. 11 or 12.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Rhea Torres said the LPA closer to the country left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday evening, Sept. 9.
She added that the LPA, which was last located 680 kilometers northeast of extreme northern Luzon, is not expected to affect any parts of the country.
However, the LPA located 2,415 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas may develop into a tropical cyclone while generally moving northwestward towards the PAR.
The next tropical cyclone name on PAGASA’s list is “Ferdie.”
Torres said that while this weather disturbance is not expected to approach the landmass, its passage through the eastern waters of the country could enhance the habagat.
This could lead to widespread rains occurring as early as Wednesday or Thursday in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Bicol Region, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, she added.
While moving through the waters, rains may continue in these areas into the coming weekend and may last until the following week, she also said.
“Ngayon pa lang ay pinapaalalahanan at pinag-iingat ang publiko sa malawakang pag-ulan sa mga susunod na araw dahil sa epekto ng habagat (As early as now, the public is reminded and advised to prepare for widespread rains in the coming days due to the effects of the southwest monsoon),” Torres warned.
As of Tuesday morning, a weak habagat is expected to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan.
Meanwhile, Torres said sustained rains are not expected in the rest of the country, which means generally fair weather, apart from isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms, may prevail.