(PHOTO: PAGASA FACEBOOK PAGE)

A low pressure area (LPA) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Friday morning, June 6, and may develop into the first tropical cyclone of 2025 within the next 24 hours, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

“Nakapasok na po ng Philippine Area of Responsibility yung ating mino-monitor na low pressure area dito sa may Pacific Ocean as of 2 a.m. (The low pressure area we’ve been monitoring over the Pacific Ocean entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of 2 a.m.),” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja reported.

As of 3 a.m., the agency said the system was spotted 945 kilometers east of the Visayas. 

Estareja noted that the chance of it intensifying into a tropical depression is now “moderate.”

“Base sa ating latest analysis po, kung kahapon ay mababa pa ‘yung tyansa na ito ay maging isang ganap na bagyo, ngayon ay moderate na po yung tyansa o katamtamang tyansa (Based on our latest analysis, if yesterday the chance of it becoming a full-fledged storm was low, today the chance is moderate),” he said.

Should the system develop into a tropical depression by Saturday or Sunday, it will be named “Auring”—the first named storm of both June and the year 2025.

Rain expected in multiple regions

Estareja said the LPA is expected to move closer to the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas on Friday, and approach land by the weekend.

“So possible pang mabago ang scenario na nakikita natin for this weather disturbance pero ang sure tayo magpapaulan ito in many areas of Bicol Region, Visayas, and CARAGA Region (The scenario for this disturbance may still change, but what’s certain is that it will bring rain to many areas in the Bicol Region, Visayas, and CARAGA Region),” the weather specialist said.

He added that as the system moves closer to land, it will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, bringing rains not just to Luzon but also to western portions of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Monsoon rains in Metro Manila, Luzon

“Ngayong araw po, dahil sa epekto ng southwest monsoon at trough of the low pressure area, mataas ang tyansa ng ulan sa Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region at MIMAROPA (Today, due to the effects of the southwest monsoon and the LPA’s trough, there is a high chance of rain in Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and MIMAROPA),” Estareja said.

PAGASA said light to moderate rains, occasionally heavy, are expected especially in Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro, where residents are warned to be alert for possible flooding and landslides.

Meanwhile, the bureau said Northern and Central Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

“May tyansa pa rin po ng mga pulo-pulong pag-ulan at pagkidlat, paglukog dulot po iyan ng habagat at wala namang kinalaman sa low pressure area (There’s still a chance of isolated rain and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon, and these are not related to the low pressure area),” the weather specialist clarified.