PAGASA: LPA to trigger rains

A new low pressure area (LPA) has formed west of Pampanga, but has a slim chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA was inside the country’s area of responsibility or 190 kilometers west of Clark, Pampanga as of Wednesday morning.

The trough of advanced clouds of the LPA is affecting Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan, bringing cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thundertorms.

PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said the LPA has a minimal probability of intensifying into a tropical cyclone and may dissipate within the next few days.

He, however, warned the public that the trough of the LPA could bring sudden heavy rains, which may trigger flooding in low-lying areas of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Residents in these areas should remain on alert for possible flash floods or landslides due to light to moderate to at times heavy rains caused by thunderstorms.

Mendoza also advised operators and crewmen of fishing boats and other small sea crafts to beware of rough seas.

The northern and eastern coastlines of Northern Luzon will have moderate to rough seas, while light to moderate seas will prevail over the rest of the country.