LPA spotted; rains seen over west Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau spotted yesterday a low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea, which will continue to bring rains over the western section of the country until today.

Rene Paciente, senior weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the low-pressure area was located 820 kilometers west of Dagupan, Pangasinan as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

Paciente said the low-pressure area was enhancing the moisture-laden southwest monsoon, which will bring light to moderate rains over Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula as well as the provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas.

PAGASA warned residents of these areas to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Paciente said the low-pressure area has a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone but it was not expected to hit Philippine landmass.

“It’s moving northwest toward northern Vietnam,” Paciente told The STAR.

He said the areas affected by rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon will experience improving weather by tomorrow.

“During the weekend, we expect improved weather apart from localized thunderstorms,” Paciente said.

Zero or one tropical cyclone is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month.

The weather agency declared the onset of the rainy season last Tuesday.