LPA to enter PAR, enhance southwest monsoon

A low pressure area (LPA) is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and may enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains over some parts of the country this weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday.

PAGASA weather specialist Ms. Chenel Dominguez said the LPA has two possible tracks. Under the first scenario, it could enter the northern boundary of the PAR but may not move any closer to the country. Under the second scenario, it may only approach the PAR before recurving away from the area.

“So, it will not have a direct effect on any part of the country and will not trigger the hoisting of any tropical cyclone wind signal,” Ms. Dominguez said during PAGASA’s 5 a.m. press briefing in Filipino, describing the effects if the first scenario occurs.

“But whatever happens, whether it enters the PAR or not, it is expected to pull and enhance the southwest monsoon,” she added.

Ms. Dominguez also said the LPA has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours, although the likelihood may increase in the coming days.

The LPA was last located 2,900 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, based on PAGASA’s 10 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Formation Outlook.

As for the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon, Ms. Dominguez said it may bring widespread rains over Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao starting this weekend.

Meanwhile, easterlies and localized thunderstorms are expected to be the country’s prevailing weather systems over the next 24 hours, PAGASA said in its 4am weather advisory.

The easterlies are expected to bring isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental, while localized thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides in the said affected areas.— Edg Adrian A. Eva