Nika, LPA, monsoon to cause rains over many parts of the country

Tropical Depression Nika as well as a low pressure area (LPA) and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will cause rains over many parts of the country on Monday, PAGASA said in its early morning forecast.

Central Luzon, Pangasinan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan will have monsoon rains from the Habagat.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country meanwhile will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to Nika, the LPA, and the Southwest Monsoon.

Residents were advised to take the necessary precautions against possible flash floods or landslides when it rains.

At 3 a.m., Nika’s center was located at 245 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur or over the West Philippine Sea.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

Nika is moving west northwestward at 15 km/h.

The LPA meanwhile was located at 670 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 3 a.m. It may become a tropical depression within 48 hours, according to PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio.

The Southwest Monsoon continues to affect Central and Southern Luzon, as well as Visayas and Mindanao.

Outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility is Tropical Storm Chan-Hom which PAGASA is also monitoring.

Chan-Hom was located at 2,330 km east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m.

It has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the centre and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

Chan-Hom is moving southward at 15 km/h.

Coastal waters will be rough over the northern and western sections of Northern and Central Luzon, with waves reaching as tall as 4.5 meters.

The rest of Luzon will have moderate to rough seas, while Visayas and Mindanao will have slight to moderate coastal waters.

Sunrise will be at 5:47 a.m. while sunset will be at 5:38 p.m. —KG, GMA News