Weather disturbance expected this weekend

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A weather disturbance spotted off the Pacific Ocean has a high possibility of making landfall over Bicol Region or Eastern Visayas by Sunday or Monday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The low pressure area (LPA) remains outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) or about 2,170 kilometers east of Mindanao as of Thursday noon.

PAGASA-Weather Division's Marine Meteorological Services Section Chief Rene Paciente said the LPA is currently moving westward but will assume a west-northwest track once the weather disturbance is near the country's landmass.

He said the LPA will enter the PAR by Friday evening or Saturday morning, should it maintain its speed and direction.

"It will remain a low pressure area when it enters the PAR but will reach the tropical depression category or lower limit of storm by weekend," he added.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has already upgraded the LPA to tropical depression last Wednesday. Paciente explained that the sea-level pressure currently affects the intensification of the LPA into tropical depression.

Once it intensifies into a tropical depression inside the PAR, it will be locally called "Nonoy," the 14th tropical cyclone to affect the country this year and first this month.

Paciente said the weather disturbance will most likely make landfall over Bicol Region or Samar by Sunday or Monday, bringing moderate to heavy rains over these areas at least 12 hours before the expected landfall.

This Friday, the trough or extension of the LPA could affect Eastern Mindanao, while the northeast monsoon or "amihan" could affect extreme Northern Luzon.

PAGASA said cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Cloudy skies with light rains is expected over Batanes and the islands of Calayan and Babuyan, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.