LPA to Dissipate Within 24 hours

Manila — The low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao is expected to dissipate in the next 24 hours but it continues to bring light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over Davao and Caraga regions, Eastern Visayas and Misamis Oriental.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Fernando Cada said due to a frontal system that keeps the LPA stationary and the strong vertical wind shear or winds from different directions that blow into the country has been interacting with the circulation of the LPA, reducing its intensity.

Cada said that as of 4 a.m. the LPA was spotted some 560 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (8.7ºN, 131.8ºE).

He added that due to the weather disturbance, expect cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms over the Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao until weekend.

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

He warned the public of the “high risk” of flooding and landslide in areas affected by the LPA.

He said the intermittent rains brought by the LPA in the past days will likely increase risk of flash floods and landslides due to the already saturated soil.

He also advised fishermen with small boats to be on alert in the sea in the eastern section of the country due to moderate and rough seas over these areas.

Meanwhile, Cada said Luzon will be spared and will not be affected by the LPA. He added that until the weekend, the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will continue to have sunny to cloudy skies with possible afternoon or evening rains due to localized convection or thunderstorm.

Meanwhile, Cada said that they monitored a cloud cluster outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but is still far to affect the country.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City at 34.8 degrees Celsius at 3:30 p.m., and the coolest at 6 a.m. at 22.2 degrees Celsius.

The highest temperature was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius in Sangley point, Cavite followed by 35.2 in Dagupan then 35.0 in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, 34.0 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

In Visayas region, Mactan, Cebu with 32.2 degrees Celsius followed by Tagbilaran, Bohol with 31.5 degrees Celsius and Dumaguete with 31.0.

In the Mindanao area, Zamboanga with 33.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Cotabato with 33.3 and General Santos City with 33.0 degrees Celsius and Davao had 32.3.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the eastern section of the country and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

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

Image Credit: pagasa.dost.gov.ph