The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Thursday, June 4, that a low-pressure area (LPA) located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is now more likely to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours.
As of 3 a.m., the weather disturbance was last monitored about 590 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union, moving northeast toward the western boundary of PAR, according to PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto.
The agency raised its development likelihood from low to medium within the past day.
Loreto clarified that while the LPA is not directly bringing rainfall into the country, it is enhancing the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which is already affecting large parts of Luzon.
“Hindi ang ulan ng LPA ang magdadala ng pag-ulan sa bansa ngunit hihilahin nito yung habagat patungo sa Northern and Central Luzon kaya inaasahan natin sa next two to three days may katamtaman hanggang sa malalakas na ulan ang inaasahan sa Northern and Central Luzon,” she said.
On Thursday, the strengthened southwest monsoon brought intermittent moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga. Scattered to at times heavy rains were also reported in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and other parts of Central Luzon.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, mostly during the afternoon or evening.
PAGASA reminded the public to stay vigilant against possible flash floods and landslides, especially in areas experiencing prolonged moderate to heavy rainfall.