LPA spotted east of Mindanao

A CLOUD cluster east of Mindanao developed into a low pressure area (LPA) at 8 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2024, but it has a low chance of turning into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, said the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) advised the public, though, to be vigilant against heavy rainfall due to the shear line. Shear line has been defined as the convergence of cold and warm winds that trigger rains. As of Monday, December 16, Pagasa said that the shear line is affecting the eastern section of southern Luzon, while Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) is affecting the rest of Luzon.



An Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting Mindanao. Pagasa forecast that there will be moderate to heavy rainfall from Monday to Tuesday, December 17, in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. These areas will experience the same from Tuesday noon until Wednesday noon (December 18).

Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Bicol Region in Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the shear line, and this condition may cause possible flash floods or landslides, said Pagasa. Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Davao Region will also have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms still due to the ITCZ.

Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora will have cloudy skies with rains due to the Northeast Monsoon. The Northeast Monsoon will also affect Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, which were forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Localized thunderstorms, meanwhile, will be experienced over the rest of Visayas, which will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Pagasa said that all these weather conditions will cause possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. The weather bureau said the forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. It advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.

(LMY).