LPA enters PAR, may turn into typhoon Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Two low-pressure areas (LPAs) monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility might develop into typhoons, with one already reported to have entered PAR, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

At a weather briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said that, as of 3 p.m. yesterday, the LPA inside PAR was located 1,340 east-northeast of Northern Luzon.

“We do not rule out that (this) LPA will develop into a typhoon,” Torres said.

PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said the LPA outside PAR was located east of Mindanao.

“At present, we continue to monitor the two LPAs, one in the east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon while the other LPA is located east of Mindanao. We do not discount the possibility that the two LPAs will develop into typhoons in the next days. But within 24 hours, the chance of developing into tropical cyclones is still low,” Castañeda said.

She added that while the two weather disturbances still have no direct effect in any part of the country, the LPAs would enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains in Northern and Central Luzon.

“If the LPA east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon reaches the northern boundary of PAR, it is possible that it will enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains to the western section of Northern and Central Luzon,” Castañeda also said.a

As for the LPA east of Mindanao, Castañeda said it would also enhance the southwest monsoon. “It is possible that by the second half of this week, the enhanced southwest monsoon will bring rains in the western section of Visayas and Mindanao.” 

The southwest monsoon at present continues to affect Luzon and bring rains in the western and northern section of Northern Luzon, Castañeda noted.

For Metro Manila, PAGASA weather forecaster Daniel James Villamil said sunny and humid weather is expected in the next five days.

“We will not yet have rain similar to what we experienced in the past days. The rains in the afternoon will be associated with thunderstorms,” Villamil said.

The enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Enteng have caused flooding in many