PAGASA weather forecasters are now tracking a low-pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao that they said may intensify into a cyclone in the next 48 hours.

 

PAGASA said Monday the LPA was estimated at 950 kms. east of Mindanao as of 2 a.m., and may move northwest and affect Visayas and Luzon.

 

"Malakas ang posibilidad nitong maging bagyo. Bigyan natin ng 48 hours siguro," PAGASA forecaster Meno Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said their models also show the LPA may move northwest, affecting Visayas first then going up toward Luzon.

 

The LPA is presently embedded in the inter-tropical convergence zone, he said.

 

If the LPA becomes a cyclone, it will be codenamed Karen, the first of at least three cyclones expected to pass through the Philippine Area of Responsibility this month.

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin indicated that as of 2 a.m., the LPA was estimated at 960 km east of Mindanao, embedded along the ITCZ affecting Visayas and Mindanao.

 

"Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rain over Eastern Visayas and Mindanao which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said.

 

It added Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

 

Moderate to strong winds blowing the southeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

 

Elsewhere, light to moderate winds will come from the southwest to southeast, making seas slight to moderate. –KG, GMA News