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| The LPA threatening Eastern Visayas could intensify into a tropical depression in the next 36 hours, according to PAGASA. Photo: HIMAWARI-8 |
A low-pressure area (LPA) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is expected to intensify into a tropical depression over the next 36 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The weather disturbance was last spotted around 3 a.m., about 610 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, according to weather specialist Benison Estareja of PAGASA.
Estarreja said that the LPA is currently bringing rains to Visayas, Mindanao, and Southern Tagalog. Based on Pagasa's latest forecast track, the LPA is already inside PAR and could develop into a tropical depression in 36 hours.
Once it becomes a tropical depression, it will be named "Rosal," the 18th storm of the year and the first of the month, according to the weather specialist.
He added that it is forecasted to move towards Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.
"By Monday, the tropical cyclone may already be in the eastern section of Cagayan Valley, and that's where the uncertainty comes in because we're closely monitoring whether this will recur and move out of the region or towards Batanes," said the weather forecaster.
The LPA's trough will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Mindanao, Visayas, Bicol Region, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas over the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte due to the shear line, the point where cold and warm air converge, according to PAGASA.