LPA, ‘habagat’ to bring rains this weekend

Expect a wet weekend ahead as a low pressure area (LPA) already within the Philippine area of responsibility is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon (“haba- gat”) and bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms across the archipelago.

In its 24-hour weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. on Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pa- gasa) said the monsoon would continue affecting the western sections of southern Luzon, particularly Palawan province and the rest of the Mimaropa region, western Visayas, and the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao.

The LPA, estimated as of 3 p.m. at 195 kilometers east of Legazpi, Albay, is forecast to continue affecting Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, the rest of the Visayas and of Mindanao.

The two weather systems may bring possible lightning, moderate to occasional heavy rains, strong winds, flash floods and landslides in the affected areas, the Pagasa warned.

Pagasa weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz said while the weather bureau had not ruled out the possibility that the LPA might develop into a tropi- cal cyclone, this was unlikely to develop into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours.

The LPA is seen to continue with its track going across the Bicol region and southern Luzon, affecting Luzon and the Visayas in the next few days.