A low-pressure area (LPA) located east of Aurora province may develop into a tropical depression within 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Aug. 22.

As of 3 a.m., the LPA was spotted 150 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, and is expected to move westward, crossing over Central Luzon on Friday, weather specialist Grace Castañeda said.

It is seen to reemerge over the West Philippine Sea by Friday evening or early Saturday morning, Aug. 23.

Castañeda also noted an increased chance of the LPA developing into a tropical depression once it exits land and moves over open waters.

However, she added that it could also intensify into a tropical depression while still over land, with the earliest possible development happening Friday.

Once it becomes a tropical depression within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will be named “Isang.”

Should this happen, Castañeda said PAGASA will immediately raise tropical cyclone wind signals over parts of Northern and Central Luzon.

Regardless of whether it becomes a cyclone, the weather disturbance is expected to bring significant rainfall across most of Luzon, she added.

For those planning activities over the long weekend in celebration of National Heroes Day on Aug. 25, PAGASA advised that rains brought by the LPA and the southwest monsoon or habagat are expected to persist until Saturday.

Over the next 24 hours, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.

Meanwhile, the habagat will continue to bring scattered rains over the rest of Luzon, as well as parts of Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental.

The rest of the country can expect generally fair weather with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

By Sunday or Monday, Aug. 24 or 25, Castañeda said rainfall across the country is expected to ease, except in areas along the western section of Luzon, where the southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains.

The public is advised to remain vigilant for possible flash floods and landslides, especially during moderate to heavy rainfall or severe thunderstorms.