(Weather Update): Brewing LPA may affect Mindanao this week –PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday they are monitoring a new “cloud cluster” near Mindanao that may develop into a low pressure area (LPA) within two to three days. Based on the numerical models, PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura said that once it becomes an LPA, it will bring occasional light to moderate rains in most parts of MindanaoWednesday or Thursday. Pura said that “latest models are showing that it has a slim chance of becoming a cyclone.” In case it does strengthen into a cyclone, he said it will be named “Crising” – the third tropical cyclone to visit the country this year. So far, Pura said the tail-end of a cold front is affecting Mindanao while the northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon and Visayas. In its advisory, PAGASA said that Davao region and SOCCSKSARGEN will experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides while the rest of Mindanao will have light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms. Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Cagayan Valley and Aurora and Quezon provinces will be cloudy with occasional light to moderate rain. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with brief light rain. Also, moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao. "Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. Meanwhile, Pura said expect temperature in Metro Manila to be a little warmer due to weakening of the northeast monsoon. He said that temperature in Metro Manila on Tuesday morning is 22.8 degrees Celsius compared to 18.8 degrees Celsius on Monday morning. Pura said the temperature was recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City. “Sa mga susunod na araw medyo makakaranas tayo ng mainit na panahon dahil humina yung ang northeast monsoon o hangin amihan,” Pura explained. But he said the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” is expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with passing light rains in Visayas and Luzon including Metro Manila. (PNA)