ITCZ to Bring Rains Over Mindanao; New LPA May Enter PAR This Weekend

(PNA) — Most parts of Mindanao will continue to experience cloudy skies with rains due to the presence of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Wednesday.

The ITCZ now affecting Mindanao is the thick clouds coming from the south of Asia and considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones.

For Wednesday forecast, PAGASA said the presence of ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Mindanao while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country, including Metro Manila.

It added moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to south over the rest of Luzon and from the southwest to west over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas

Meanwhile, PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said the agency is keeping watch of a new cloud cluster over the Pacific Ocean.

Quitlong said the cloud formation is expected to intensify into a low pressure area (LPA) before weekend.

He said the predicted LPA is seen to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) either Friday or Saturday.

“May binabantayan tayo na bagong cloud cluster na malaki ang chance na maging LPA before weekend,” Quitlong said.

“Kung maging LPA na ito, ibig sabihin ay may posibilidad na rin ito na maging bagyo. Patuloy nating imo-monitor ito,” he added.

PAGASA expects one or two tropical cyclones to visit the country before the end of the month.

The next tropical cyclone will be named “Egay”, the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year. (PNA) JBP/CLTC