STATE weather forecasters are monitoring closely two low pressure areas (LPAs) that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) next week.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecaster Gladys Saludes said Monday that the first LPA was spotted approximately 500 kilometers east of Mindanao, while the other LPA is 2,000 kilometers away.

The first LPA has a 50 percent chance to enter the PAR, Pagasa forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said, adding that it also has a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone.

"Buong Mindanao ngayon ay pwedeng makaranas ng katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsa'y malakas na pag-ulan (Mindanao region may experience moderate to heavy rains)," Saludes said.

Three to five tropical cyclones are expected to enter the country in July, Pagasa said. (Marie Shane Krizzia Delgado, UST intern/PNA/Sunnex)