Shallow LPA spotted off Quezon province

MANILA -- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday afternoon it is monitoring a new weather disturbance near Quezon province.

Weather forecaster Samuel Duran said that as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, a shallow low pressure area (SLPA) was spotted at 230 kilometers (km) east of Infanta, Quezon.

Duran said the weather disturbance has a slim chance to intensify into a tropical depression and is expected to dissipate within 24-48 hours.

However, in case the SLPA develops into a tropical depression, it will be named “Lawin,” the 12th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year

Due to the combined effects of the SLPA and the weakening southwest monsoon (hangin habagat), Duran said that occasional light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected in many parts of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as Metro Manila.

He said the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy skies with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Duran explained that rains this month are usually accompanied by thunder and lightning due to the prevailing southwest monsoon.

He added that rains associated with the southwest monsoon usually occur at night till early morning.

In its advisory, Pagasa said moderate winds blowing from the north to northwest will prevail and Manila Bay will be moderate.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest to southwest will prevail over Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the west to southwest with slight to moderate seas. (PNA)