LPA to bring rains over Visayas, Mindanao; Storm Hagupit to enter PAR this weekend

A low pressure area (LPA) is expected to bring rains over several areas of Visayas and Mindanao, while tropical storm Hagupit (international name) may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this weekend, according to the state weather bureau on Thursday.

The LPA was last located over the coastal waters of Picong, Lanao del Sur and is still unlikely to develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5:00 pm briefing.

It is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Central Visayas, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), PAGASA said in its separate 24-hour weather forecast released at 4:00 pm.

Other affected areas include Palawan, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Sultan Kudarat.

The agency warned of possible flash floods and landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

As for the LPA’s forecast track, PAGASA said it may either dissipate near or over Mindanao or move toward the Sulu Sea.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Hagupit maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph, PAGASA said in its briefing.

It was located 1,840 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, moving west northwestward at 15 kph.

“This typhoon is expected to enter our Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night or early Sunday morning,” Charmagne Marie Varilla said in the briefing in Filipino. She noted that the system will be locally named “Caloy” upon entry.

“We also expect that it may approach the eastern part of the country,” she added.

PAGASA said the tropical storm is likely to affect the country’s weather and sea conditions in the next three days.

The public is advised to monitor updates from the agency regarding the weather system. — Edg Adrian A. Eva