PAGASA monitors 2 LPAs outside PAR; southwest monsoon weakens

MANILA, Philippines – The weather bureau is monitoring two low pressure areas (LPAs) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The first LPA, which formed over the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, September 10, was located 1,005 kilometers west of southwestern Luzon as of 3 pm on Friday, September 11.

It has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The potential tropical cyclone is less likely to enter PAR as it is expected to move away from the country in the coming days.

But the trough or extension of this LPA is causing scattered rain and thunderstorms in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley on Friday. Flash floods and landslides are possible.

Scattered rain and thunderstorms are also being experienced in the rest of Luzon, Western Visayas, and Northern Samar on Friday, but due to the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Overall, however, the southwest monsoon has weakened and it is no longer expected to trigger significant rain.

Meanwhile, the second LPA outside PAR is much farther, at 3,035 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 3 pm on Friday.

This LPA is unlikely to become a tropical depression in the next 24 hours, but it may eventually enter PAR. For now, it has no impact on any part of the country.

PAGASA expects two or three tropical cyclones to develop within or enter PAR in September. The next three local tropical cyclone names are Queenie, Rosal, and Samuel. – Rappler.com