LPA seen to enter PAR, may develop into tropical depression —PAGASA

State weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Mindanao outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

"As of 8 AM today, the cloud cluster east of Mindanao, outside the PAR, has developed into a Low Pressure Area (LPA)," PAGASA said Wednesday.

According to PAGASA's forecast, the LPA may enter PAR on Wednesday night or Thursday morning and possibly affect — and make landfall — in the Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas area by late Friday or on Saturday.

"Development into TD (tropical depression) not ruled out but less likely," PAGASA said. 

The LPA, if ever it develops into a tropical depression and enters PAR, will be named "Aghon."

Another scenario, according to PAGASA, is the LPA will "recurve" over the Philippine Sea near Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas and develop into tropical depression by Friday or Saturday.

PAGASA earlier said the Philippines could experience 13 to 16 tropical cyclones this year.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has said that there is 62% that the La Niña, which is usually associated with above normal rainfall conditions, would be felt this June. 

La Niña is characterized by unusually cooler than average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP). 

PAGASA has warned of La Niña's potential adverse impacts, including floods and landslide, in vulnerable areas.

The country is now in the "weak El Niño" stage that is expected to end by June.

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below-normal rainfall.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News