LPA, northeast monsoon to dump rains on Christmas

The low-pressure area (LPA) northeast of Surigao del Norte and prevailing northeast monsoon will bring moderate to heavy rains to many parts of the country until Christmas Eve, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The LPA was estimated at 50 kilometers northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar around Sunday noon.

PAGASA said the LPA will continue to bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Agusan

del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Aurora and Quezon.

The LPA will likely traverse Visayas on its way out toward the West Philippine Sea.

Residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, lowlying areas and in mountainous areas, are advised to take extra caution against possible flooding and landslides.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Visayas will have occasional light to moderate rains.

PAGASA also continues to monitor the LPA located outside PAR. It earlier said this LPA was 2,435 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

This second LPA is expected to enter PAR on Tuesday, December 25 – Christmas Day – or on Wednesday, December 26.

It has a slim chance of becoming a tropical cyclone, but it might make landfall either in Caraga or in the Davao Region by Thursday, December 27, or Friday, December 28.

The LPA will cause cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over the Visayas and Bicol Region.

Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers caused by thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds will blow over northern and central Luzon, and the eastern section of southern Luzon and Visayas. Coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said.

PAGASA has not issued a gale warning but advised fisher folks and seafarers of moderate to rough seas over Northern and Central Luzon, and eastern section of Southern Luzon and Visayas.

Only slight to moderate seas will prevail over the rest of the country. (With PNA)