LPA near Batanes may develop into Tropical Depression Salome — PAGASA
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, Oct. 22 said a low-pressure area (LPA) spotted north of Batanes has a “high” chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz-Galicia said the LPA was located 370 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, as of 3 a.m.
It will be named “Salome” once it intensifies into a tropical depression inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
De la Cruz-Galicia said the LPA is expected to move generally southwestward in the next few hours.
It could approach or make landfall in Batanes by Wednesday evening or early Thursday, Oct. 23, before continuing southwest toward Ilocos Norte, she added.
She reminded the public to monitor updates closely, as uncertainty remains due to strong northeasterly wind flow in the area, which affects the LPA’s development and movement.
As of Wednesday morning, the LPA has no direct effect yet on any part of the country.
Meanwhile, de la Cruz-Galicia said the Intertropical Convergence Zone is bringing cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms to Mindanao, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.
Northeasterly winds over Batanes are causing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light showers, while easterly winds are bringing isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Aurora, and Quezon.
The rest of the country is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised the public to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides, particularly during moderate to heavy rainfall or severe thunderstorms.