The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, June 4, said a low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has become more likely to develop into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours.

As of 3 a.m., the LPA was located 590 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union and was moving northeastward toward the western boundary of PAR, PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto said.

The weather disturbance's chance of developing into a tropical cyclone had increased from low to medium in the past 24 hours.

While the LPA is not directly bringing rain over the country, Loreto noted that it is enhancing the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” which is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Northern and Central Luzon in the next two to three days.

“Hindi ang ulan ng LPA ang magdadala ng pag-ulan sa bansa ngunit hihilahin nito yung habagat patungo sa Northern and Central Luzon kaya inaasahan natin sa next two to three days may katamtaman hanggang sa malalakas na ulan ang inaasahan sa Northern and Central Luzon (The rainfall from the LPA is not what will bring rain over the country. Instead, it will pull the southwest monsoon toward Northern and Central Luzon, where moderate to heavy rains are expected over the next two to three days),” she said.

On Thursday, the habagat was bringing occasional moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga.

Scattered moderate to, at times, heavy rains were also affecting Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country continued to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant for possible flash floods and landslides, especially in areas experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall.