LPA embedded along ITCZ to bring rain over Luzon, Visayas

MANILA -- A new low pressure area (LPA) embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is expected to affect Luzon and Visayas, the state weather bureau said on Thursday.

Weather observer Alvin Pura said that as of 4 a.m. Thursday, the LPA was spotted at 1,120 kilometers east of Southern Luzon (14.0°N, 136.0°E).

An ITCZ is a merge of winds from different directions, which is also a breeding ground for a low pressure area.

Pura said since it is too far, the LPA will not affect the country but has chance to become tropical cyclone since it is in the sea.

Once the LPA develops into tropical depression, it will be called “Lawin” the 12th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, he said.

In its advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that occasional light to moderate rains will be experienced in Northern and Central Luzon, including Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Pagasa also said that light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail and Manila Bay will be slight to moderate.

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

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