The low-pressure area (LPA) lingering inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is still highly unlikely to intensify into a tropical cyclone and poses no immediate threat to the country, the state weather bureau announced on Saturday, May 16.
According to PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin Dela Cruz-Galicia, the weather disturbance—which was previously designated as Tropical Storm “Caloy”—was located 980 kilometers east of Central Luzon, showing very little movement over the Philippine Sea.
“Huling namataan ang low-pressure area sa loob ng ating PAR sa layong 980 kilometers silangan ng Central Luzon at kasalukuyang napakababa pa rin ng tiyansa na mabuo ulit ito bilang isang bagyo.”
The system has spent the last several days losing strength and stalling off the coast.
“Ito po ay si formerly Caloy na naging LPA na lamang—for the past few days ay LPA po siya. At dito po siya nag-sta-stay sa Philippine Sea.”
Dela Cruz-Galicia emphasized that the nearly stationary system is not impacting the archipelago.
“Hindi siya halos gumagalaw. At sa ngayon ay wala po itong direktang epekto sa anumang bahagi ng ating kalupaan.”
While the LPA remains harmless, another weather system is actively affecting the topmost region of the country. A frontal system is currently bringing overcast skies, scattered rain showers, and lightning storms to Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.
“Samantala, frontal system naman ang nakakaapekto rito sa extreme Northern Luzon at nagdudulot po iyan ng maulap na papawirin at mga kalat-kalat na pag-ulan at pagkidlat, pagkulog sa Batanes at maging sa Babuyan Islands.”
PAGASA confirmed that these are the only two prominent weather systems being tracked within the region at this time.
“So far, dalawa pong weather systems ang prevailing o nandito po sa loob ng ating area of responsibility. Nakakaapekto po ‘yung frontal system sa extreme Northern Luzon habang ‘yung LPA ay nanatiling wala pong epekto saan mang bahagi ng ating kalupaan.”