PAGASA: Trough of LPA, 'habagat' to bring scattered rains over most of Philippines on Ninoy Aquino Day
A low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” are expected to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over most of the Philippines on Thursday, Aug. 21, during the observance of the Ninoy Aquino Day, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 5 a.m., the LPA was located 705 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.
Although still over water, its trough or extension is already affecting parts of Luzon and Visayas, bringing cloudy skies and scattered rain showers.
Affected areas include Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran.
PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz-Galicia said the LPA has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours.
If it intensifies while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will be named “Isang,” she added.
De la Cruz-Galicia said the weather disturbance is moving generally westward and may cross Northern or Central Luzon in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the habagat is also bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.
The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant for possible flash floods and landslides, especially during moderate to heavy rainfall or severe thunderstorms.