MANILA, Philippines – The low pressure area (LPA) being monitored by the weather bureau was already moving away from Luzon on Monday, June 9, but it may enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat if it develops into a tropical depression.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA was located over the West Philippine Sea, at 300 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union, as of 8 am on Monday.
PAGASA had said in its 4 am forecast that the Ilocos Region, Abra, and Benguet may still have scattered rain and thunderstorms due to the LPA.
But with the LPA moving away from Luzon, heavy rain due to this weather disturbance is no longer expected.
So far, the LPA still has a “medium” chance of development into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours. If it becomes a tropical depression while still inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it would be given the local name Auring.
PAGASA earlier said one or two tropical cyclones are expected to form within or enter PAR in June. For the next six months, or from June to November, there could be 11 to 19 tropical cyclones.
Southwest monsoon
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is still affecting Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao in varying degrees on Monday.
Based on PAGASA’s 11 am advisory, these are the most affected areas:
Monday noon, June 9, to Tuesday noon, June 10
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique
Tuesday noon, June 10, to Wednesday noon, June 11
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Occidental Mindoro, Zambales
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Metro Manila, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque, Antique
Wednesday noon, June 11, to Thursday noon, June 12
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Occidental Mindoro, Zambales
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique
PAGASA advised affected areas to remain on alert for floods and landslides.
For Monday in particular, Metro Manila, Bicol, and other areas in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Visayas not mentioned above could still have scattered rain and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon. Mindanao will only have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The start of the rainy season was declared on June 2, while the southwest monsoon’s onset was announced on May 30. – Rappler.com