The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday, May 23, announced it is tracking two low-pressure areas (LPAs), with one already inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) bringing inclement weather to the southern islands.
PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto confirmed that while the closer weather disturbance is dumping moderate to heavy rains over major portions of Mindanao and parts of the Visayas, it is unlikely to escalate into a full-blown tropical cyclone.
“Ngayong araw, mayroon nga po tayong dalawang low-pressure area na mino-monitor. Isa po ay nasa loob ng ating area of responsibility, at mayroon ding isa na nasa labas ng ating area of responsibility,” Loreto stated.
Today, we are monitoring two low-pressure areas. One is inside our area of responsibility, and there is also one outside our area of responsibility.
The internal LPA was last located 795 kilometers east of General Santos City. Forecasters expect the system to weaken and dissolve as it edges closer to the southern landmass.
“Unahin po muna natin itong nasa loob ng ating PAR, ito po ay namataan sa layong 795 kilometers sa silangan ng General Santos City. Hindi natin ito inaasahan maging bagyo. Sa halip, habang kumikilos po ito pa-kanluran at lalapit ito sa ating Mindanao landmass. Inaasahan po natin na malulusaw na lamang po ito,” Loreto explained.
Let’s start first with the one inside our PAR, it was spotted at a distance of 795 kilometers east of General Santos City. We do not expect it to become a cyclone. Instead, as it moves westward and approaches our Mindanao landmass, we expect it to just dissolve.
Meanwhile, the second LPA remains far out at sea, estimated at 2,135 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao.
PAGASA noted that this outer system currently maintains a low probability of intensifying into a storm within the next 24 hours.
“Samantala, ‘yung isang low-pressure area naman na nasa labas pa ng ating PAR ay nasa layong 2,135 kilometers silangan ng Northeastern Mindanao. Sa susunod na 24 oras ay may mababang tyansa po ito na maging bagyo,” she added.
Meanwhile, the other low-pressure area that is still outside our PAR is at a distance of 2,135 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao. In the next 24 hours, it has a low chance of becoming a cyclone.
Despite the slim chances of either LPA turning into a typhoon, the state weather bureau warned residents that the trough—or the extended cloud wall—of the closer LPA will still trigger significant rainfall. Affected areas include large swaths of Mindanao, eastern Central Visayas, and the Negros Island Region.
In contrast, the rest of the country will face vastly different weather conditions. The easterlies—warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean—continue to dominant Luzon and the remaining parts of Visayas.
“Sa ibang bahagi naman po ng ating bansa, dito sa Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and Visayas—Easterlies naman po ‘yung nakakaapekto sa atin kaya magiging mainit pa rin at maalinsangan buong araw. Hindi naman natin inaalis ang tiyansa ng panandaliang buhos ng ulan dulot naman ng thunderstorm activities,” Loreto concluded.
In other parts of our country, here in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and Visayas—Easterlies are what’s affecting us, so it will still be hot and humid all day. We are not ruling out the chance of brief downpours caused by thunderstorm activities.