Light rain expected in Mindanao as LPA enters PAR

A potential cyclone – a low-pressure area (LPA) – may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) before noon Wednesday, even as state weather forecasters said it may have already started affecting parts of Mindanao. PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said the LPA is embedded in the inter-tropical convergence zone, and is likely to bring rain to parts of Mindanao.

"Ang namataang LPA [is] about to enter the Philippine area of responsibility... maaring mga 11 a.m. papasok na ito," Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio. "Ngayon nagpapaulan na ito [sa Mindanao] dahil nakapaloob ito sa inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ)," she added. "As of 2 a.m. today, Japan’s Meteorological Agency classified this LPA as a tropical depression while the US' Joint Typhoon Warning Center did not consider it a potential tropical disturbance as yet. However, atmospheric conditions show the possibility of this LPA to further intensify into a tropical depression within the next several hours," said GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz. If the LPA becomes a cyclone while inside the PAR, it will be locally codenamed "Auring." While Enriquez said cold weather conditions are not conducive to the formation of a cyclone, residents in Mindanao must remain vigilant. She cited the case of Tropical Cyclone Quinta (Wukong), which was not expected to become a cyclone yet intensified into one last December. As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 1,020 km southeast of Mindanao, embedded in the ITCZ affecting Mindanao. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA also said the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. "Cagayan Valley and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light rain. Leyte provinces and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms," it said. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rain showers or thunderstorms, it added. Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon. "Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — LBG/TJD, GMA News