PAGASA Monitors LPA, 2 Other Weather Disturbances Outside PAR

At least three weather disturbances are now being monitored by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that are expected to affect the country this month of July.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said that as of 4 a.m. Wednesday they spotted a low pressure area (LPA) 555 km east of Eastern Samar (12.0°N, 130.5°E) and it is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) across Visayas.

She said the LPA has slim chance to intensify into tropical cyclone as it is expected to dissipate soon.

For Wednesday forecast, Nonot said the presence of LPA inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) will bring widespread light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Visayas and Mindanao while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

She said in the coming days rains are expected in the western side of the country due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by the weather disturbance.

Nonot said the weather bureau continue to monitor another LPA outside PAR which may develop into a tropical cyclone or storm.

Nonot said the LPA is approximately 2,200 km east of Mindanao has a high chance to enter PAR and intensify into tropical cyclone.

She said once it intensifies into tropical cyclone inside the PAR it will be locally named “Egay”, the fourth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.

Meanwhile, Nonot said the tropical storm with international name Chan-Hom is approximately 3,6000 km east of Mindanao has slim chance to enter the PAR due to upward movement but the agency is monitoring it.

She said the for the month of July expect three to five cyclones are expected to affect the country.

She added so far the weather bureau has not issued gale warning as the fisherfolks are safe to venture into the sea.

In its advisory, PAGASA said light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC