PAGASA: LPA off Mindanao potential cyclone, effects felt on weekend

A low-pressure area east of Mindanao moved closer to the Philippines early Friday, with state weather forecasters projecting it would intensify into a cyclone and affect eastern Mindanao and Visayas, and possibly parts of Luzon, this weekend.

PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran said in an interview on dzBB radio that their models predicted the LPA would become a cyclone in "two to three days" and approach the area between Eastern Visayas and eastern Mindanao.

Should the LPA become a cyclone while inside the Philippine area of responsibility, it will be locally codenamed Nando.

Duran also said there was a chance the LPA would cut across southern Luzon as well. "Usually, pag August, nagko-cross pag medyo mababa ang bagyo," he said.

As for another LPA, this one approaching north Luzon, Duran assured that it was still more than 1,000 km distant.

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said that as of 4 a.m. Friday, the LPA off Mindanao was 870 km away.

Monsoon's continued effects

For now, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will continue to affect most of the country. "Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms," said the weather service.

The Visayas will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms."

Moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, PAGASA said winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to west with slight to moderate seas.

PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the southwest monsoon may affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it advised. — DVM, GMA News