By Brian Campued
The low pressure area (LPA) being monitored inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) will drench Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao over the weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 8:00 a.m., this Saturday, the LPA was located 235 km east of Virac, Catanduanes and still has a “medium” chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours.
In an early morning public weather forecast, PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said that based on the weather bureau’s latest analysis, the potential tropical cyclone may not make landfall in any parts of the country.
“Ngunit palalakasin nito ’yong habagat (southwest monsoon), kung saan itong habagat at ang LPA ’yong patuloy na magdudulot ng pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Central at Southern Luzon at maging sa bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao ngayon maging hanggang sa mga susunod na araw.”
Both the LPA and the enhanced southwest monsoon are forecast to bring up to 200 mm of rainfall across Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Zamboanga Peninsula over the weekend, based on PAGASA’s heavy rainfall outlook as of 11:00 a.m. this Saturday.
Moderate to heavy rains (50–100 mm) brought by the LPA is expected over Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar until Sunday afternoon, June 8; the aforementioned provinces, minus Eastern Samar, will continue to be drenched until Monday afternoon, June 9.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains will also be experienced in Zambales, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga del Norte until Sunday afternoon due to the enhanced habagat.
The southwest monsoon will also bring heavy to intense rains (100–200 mm) over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and Batangas from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon; moderate to heavy rains in Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Antique, Cavite, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Zamboanga del Norte.
PAGASA warned flash floods and landslides are possible in areas with heavy rainfall.
-jpv
