LPA continues to bring rains over Mindanao

MANILA -- The low pressure area (LPA) may become a tropical cyclone as it continues to bring heavy rains in Mindanao, the state weather bureau said Monday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said as of 4 a.m., Monday, the LPA which was embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), was spotted at 300 km southeast of Mindanao (5.5°N, 129.0°E).

Pagasa said that due to the LPA and ITCZ, Mindanao and Leyte provinces will have cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashflood and landslides while Bicol region and the rest of Visayas will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Citing numerical models, Weather Forecaster Alvin Pura said that there are signs that the LPA will intensify into a tropical cyclone.

“Sa ngayon nakikita natin na may chance na maging bagyo. Pero patuloy namin itong binabantayan kasi may posibilidad pa rin na mangyari ulit iyong katulad nung kay ‘Auring’ na habang lumalapit ito sa Mindanao area ay saka ito naging bagyo,” he noted.

In case it strengthens into a tropical depression, Mendoza said it will be named “Bising” – the second cyclone to hit the country this year.

He noted that the LPA will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains over Mindanao as it moves closer to the region.

Visayas, on the other hand, he said will also have light to moderate rains because of the weather disturbance and easterlies.

Pura further noted that Northern Luzon will continue to have passing light rains due to the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan.”

The rest of Luzon including Metro Manila will be generally sunny with possible light rains in the afternoon or evening because of the localized convection.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau advised devotees of the Black Nazarene to bring umbrellas and raingears when they take part in the “feast” on Wednesday.

Citing the Pagasa’s extended weather outlook for January 9, Pagasa weather forecaster Ricky Fabregas said that Metro Manila is expected to have sunny to partly cloudy skies with possible occurrence of light showers in the afternoon or evening due to the localized convections.

“Thus, we recommend bringing of umbrellas, most especially raincoats or raingears for devotees trooping to the Quiapo Church in Manila on Wednesday,” Fabregas noted.

In its advisory, Pagasa said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to north will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Pagasa issued gale warning as strong to gale force wind associated with the surge of northeast monsoon is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon..

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," Pagasa said. (PNA)