LPA nearing Mindanao may become cyclone within the week

A low pressure area (LPA) moving closer to Mindanao from the east may intensify into a cyclone in two to three days, state weather forecasters said Monday.

 

PAGASA forecaster Connie Dadivas said the LPA, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before dawn Monday, may make landfall within the week.

 

"Inaasahan natin sa susunod na dalawa hanggang tatlong araw posibleng maging bagyo ito at lalapit ito ng kalupaan after four to five days," Dadivas said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

She said their models as of now indicate the potential cyclone may affect Southern Luzon or Legaspi City in Albay, or possibly Eastern Visayas.  

^{24-hour rainfall forecast ending 6:00 a.m., Oct. 23}  

"The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has already upgraded the LPA into a tropical depression while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) advisory indicates a low potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone over the area.  Meanwhile, Weather Central's wind forecast shows the development of a significant circulation over the Philippine Sea that might cross the Visayas and southern Luzon in the coming days," said GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz.

 

If the LPA becomes a cyclone while inside the PAR, it will be locally codenamed Ofel, Dadivas said.

 

Dadivas also said the LPA may bring rain over Mindanao, including in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato where residents were evacuated because of an earth crack.

 

PAGASA bulletin

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said that as of 4 a.m. Monday, the LPA was estimated at 865 km east of Southern Mindanao, embedded along the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and Mindanao.

 

"Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said.

 

It added that Bicol and MIMAROPA will have occasional light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms while Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rain showers or thunderstorms.

 

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

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas.

 

Gale warning

 

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale force winds enhanced by the surge of the northeast monsoon and the LPA may affect the northern and eastern seaboard of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

 

"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 said. — TJD, GMA News