A low-pressure area (LPA) that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday evening, Aug. 29, may develop into a tropical depression within the next few hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Sunday, Aug. 30.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the LPA was located 1,340 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of Sunday morning.

“Base po sa pinakahuling datos natin, itong low-pressure area na ito ay posible po maging bagyo within the day at tatawagin po natin itong Bagyong ‘Pilandok’ (Based on our latest data, this low-pressure area may develop into a tropical cyclone within the day and will be called ‘Pilandok’),” Badrina said.

The LPA could also affect the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which continues to bring rains over parts of Luzon.

“Inaasahan din natin na sa pagkilos nitong low-pressure area na ito, maging bagyo man po, posibleng palakasin ulit nito ang habagat (Meanwhile, as this low-pressure area moves, whether it develops into a tropical cyclone or not, it could possibly strengthen the southwest monsoon),” Badrina said.

He said PAGASA would continue to monitor how the LPA could interact with the habagat.

“Sa ngayon po kailangan pa rin natin ito imonitor kung paano yung magiging dynamics po o makakaapekto itong low-pressure area na maaaring maging bagyo sa habagat (For now, we still need to monitor its dynamics and how this low-pressure area, which may develop into a tropical cyclone, could affect the southwest monsoon),” Badrina said.

The habagat remains the weather system mainly affecting Luzon as of Sunday.

Rainy conditions are expected particularly over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Occidental Mindoro.

The rainfall outlook for Sunday showed that Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga could receive 100 to 200 millimeters or rain, considered heavy to intense.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro could receive 50 to 100 millimeters, or moderate to heavy rainfall.

On Monday, Aug. 31, 100 to 200 millimeters of rain could affect Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan.

Fifty to 100 millimeters could prevail over Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.

By Tuesday, Sept. 1, 100 to 200 millimeters of rain could affect Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet, and Zambales.

Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bataan, and Pampanga could receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall.

Despite the possible strengthening of the habagat, Badrina said rainfall over the western section of Luzon could decrease by Monday or Tuesday.

“Posibleng mabawasan yung mga pag-ulan na mararanasan po natin partikular na sa western section ng Luzon sa araw ng Lunes o araw ng Martes (Rainfall that will be experienced, particularly over the western section of Luzon, could possibly decrease on Monday or Tuesday),” Badrina said.

However, he urged the public to remain cautious as flash floods and landslides remain possible, particularly in western Luzon.

Meanwhile, PAGASA is also monitoring Tropical Depression Saudel, formerly called “Obet.”

Saudel was located 1,105 kilometers west-northwest of extreme Northern Luzon and is not directly affecting the country.

“Sa ngayon ay hindi naman ito direktang nakakaapekto sa ating bansa (For now, it is not directly affecting the country),” Badrina said.

The rest of Luzon and the Visayas may experience cloudy skies, while Mindanao is expected to generally have fair weather, although localized rain showers and thunderstorms remain possible.