LPA to Bring Heavy Rains over Visayas, May Dissipate in 24 hours – PAGASA

Manila- The low pressure area (LPA) lingering inside the country for almost two weeks now is expected to dissipate in the next 24 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang said that the LPA is expected to dissipate because it is expected to hit land in some areas in the Visayas.

He added that the LPA has an erratic movement as it continues to move “very slowly” because of the presence of a ridge of high pressure area (HPA) over Luzon that prevents the LPA from moving freely.

Galang said if the LPA does not dissipate, it will likely exit the country via West Philippine Sea on Good Friday.

Galang said a gradual weather improvement is expected in the Visayas in the next two days.

He noted that the LPA is still in the sea and has a “slim chance” of re-intensifying into a tropical cyclone due to a strong vertical wind shear or winds from different directions that blow into the country, which continue to interact with its circulation.

As of 4 am, the LPA was spotted some 120 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.5ºN, 127.0ºE).

For Wednesday forecast, the Visayas will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

He advised residents of these areas to be prepared and closely monitor the weather situation.

He added that the LPA will also affect Bicol and Caraga regions and the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Misamis Oriental inducing cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rains in these regions.

PAGASA issued a rainfall advisory at 6:35 a.m. due to trough of LPA as moderate to occasionally heavy rains affecting portions of ‪Biliran‬, Northern Samar‬, ‪Samar‬ and Eastern Samar‬ which may continue for two- three hours.

It added that intermittent light to moderate rains over portions of ‪ Western Visayas‬,‪ Central Visayas‬ and the rest of ‪Eastern Visayas‬ which may prevail for two- three hours.

The public and the DRRMC concerned are advised to monitor the weather condition and watch for the next advisory to be issued.

The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila will be spared from the LPA and these areas will relatively have good weather with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and possible light passing rains mostly in the afternoon or evening.

In its advisory, PAGASA said that moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the northern and eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to occasionally rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to west with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) FPV/CLTC