The low-pressure area off the Pacific Ocean has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is expected to bring rains over the Caraga and Davao regions.
PAGASA senior weather forecaster Jun Galang said the LPA entered the PAR at around 3 a.m. yesterday and was estimated at 925 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
The LPA has a high probability of intensifying into a tropical depression within 24 to 48 hours, Galang added. Once it becomes a tropical cyclone, it will be given the local name “Vinta,” this year’s 22nd cyclone and second this month.
Galang said light to moderate rains from the LPA’s advanced clouds will be felt in the eastern section of Caraga and Davao regions beginning yesterday.
He pointed out that the LPA is generally moving west towards Mindanao and is seen to cross Caraga or Davao tonight or tomorrow morning.
“It was moving faster than tropical depression “Urduja” and we are expecting the LPA to have crossed the landmass of Mindanao by Friday,” he said.
“Some areas that were earlier affected by Urduja could also be affected by the outer circulation of the cyclone, especially the southern part of Visayas, such as Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and Cebu,” he added. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)