LPAs spotted off Mindanao, Zambales

MINDANAO, Philippines — Two low-pressure areas were spotted within the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday.

The first low-pressure area was spotted 760 kilometers east of Davao City in Davao del Sur as of 3 p.m. yesterday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The weather system was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours, PAGASA weather forecaster Joey Figuracion said.

The trough or extension of the low-pressure area was expected to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Mindanao, as well as Eastern and Central Visayas in the next 24 hours.

It will also bring scattered rains over parts of Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao from tomorrow until Thursday.

The second low-pressure area was spotted 255 km west northwest of Iba, Zambales or 265 km west northwest of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

The weather disturbance was not expected to affect any part of the country as it will dissipate within the next hours or days.

Meanwhile, PAGASA advised concerned government agencies to prepare for a developing La Niña, which is expected to bring above normal rainfall, particularly the eastern section of the country, in the coming months.

PAGASA said there is a 70 percent chance for La Niña to develop in the last quarter of this year.

“The country may experience a higher chance of convective activity and tropical cyclone occurrences, which may bring above normal rainfall especially in the eastern sections of the country in the coming several months,” PAGASA said.

“Impacts include slightly warmer air temperatures in varying degrees from place to place and from time to time due to enhanced easterlies or the warm air from the Pacific,” it said, adding the potential adverse impacts include floods and landslides.