A low-pressure area (LPA) looming east of Mindanao has a “medium chance” of developing into a tropical cyclone, bringing cloudy skies and scattered rain showers over Palawan and the southern region, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Monday, May 25.
As of 8:00 AM, the weather disturbance was spotted 1,745 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao.
“Patuloy po natin itong babantayan at may posibilidad na ito’y maging bagyo, (We will continue to monitor this and there is a possibility that it will become a cyclone),” PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said.
The extension or trough of the LPA is projected to affect Palawan and Mindanao until Tuesday, May 26. Aurelio urged residents to stay vigilant against potential flash floods and landslides, especially during periods of moderate to heavy downpours.
“Mag-ingat pa rin dahil sa mga pag-uulan na ating mararanasan ngayong araw, lalo na sa Palawan at Mindanao, (Still, take caution due to the rains we will experience today, especially in Palawan and Mindanao),” he added.
In contrast, Luzon and the Visayas will experience generally fair but scorching weather. The weather bureau noted that hot and humid conditions will peak around noon and during the afternoon, though localized thunderstorms could still trigger sudden evening rain showers.
The extreme heat continues to bake northern and central parts of the country. Dagupan City in Pangasinan recorded a blistering heat index of 47°C on Monday, closely following its 48°C peak on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s heat index hovered between a dangerous 41°C and 43°C.