Tropical depression east of Mindanao weakens into low pressure area

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14) — The tropical depression spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has weakened into a low pressure area, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance was last located 1,620 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao.

The agency said the it is expected to move west or northwestward and may enter PAR late Wednesday or early Thursday. If it redevelops into a tropical depression, the weather system will be called «Kabayan» once inside PAGASA's monitoring area.

Regardless of its development trend, PAGASA said the system's interaction with the possible shear line related to a surging northeast monsoon may bring heavy rains over the eastern portion of Mindanao, the Bicol Region, and most of the Visayas from Friday to Saturday.

«Within the PAR, this weather system will continue tracking westward until Friday while slowly intensifying,» the agency said.

PAGASA said gale warnings were issued due to risky sea conditions caused by the surge of the northeast monsoon.