The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration is closely monitoring a low-pressure area east of the Bicol region as it may develop into a tropical cyclone and make landfall over Northern Luzon this week.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said the LPA entered the country’s area of responsibility around 6 a.m. and was estimated 1,100 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes before noon yesterday.
It will likely develop into a tropical depression by tomorrow and will be named “Ramon.” It will be the tropical second cyclone this month and 18th this year.
Should it maintain its current track, the weather disturbance will make landfall over Northern Luzon towards the end of the week, Estareja said.
PAGASA, however, is not ruling out a possible cyclone recurvature or change in track.
For now, Estareja said, the trough or extension of the LPA has started to bring light to moderate rains in Aurora, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to experience fair weather in the morning with chances of rain showers due to thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.
As the weather disturbance moves closer, Estareja said more areas in Luzon and Visayas could expect more rains in the coming days. (Ellalyn Ruiz)