A low-pressure area (LPA) situated within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to bring widespread rains to parts of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, the state weather bureau said Thursday, September 17.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Obet Badrina said the LPA was last located about 125 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The LPA and the ITCZ are expected to bring cloudy conditions with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Batangas, Quezon, Mimaropa, and the Bicol Region.
Badrina cautioned residents in affected areas about possible flash floods and landslides, particularly when moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall occurs.
The ITCZ may also trigger isolated rain showers over other parts of Mindanao.
Northern and Central Luzon, meanwhile, are expected to have generally fair conditions, although isolated rain showers and thunderstorms may develop, particularly during the afternoon and early evening.
Across the country, winds are forecast to remain light to moderate, while coastal waters are expected to range from slight to moderate.
Badrina said the LPA’s continued westward movement could cause the southwest monsoon to return in the coming days and persist through the weekend, potentially affecting Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
PAGASA is also monitoring a tropical cyclone outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
As of 3 a.m. Thursday, Tropical Storm Dujuan was located approximately 2,970 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near its center, with gustiness reaching 90 kph, and was moving north-northwestward at 20 kph.
Badrina said Dujuan is not directly affecting the Philippines and has only a slim possibility of entering the PAR.