Expect a rainy weekend before Christmas over the Bicol region, Visayas, and Mindanao due to the prevalence of a low pressure area and tail-end of cold front.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, the LPA has entered the country’s area of responsibility and was last spotted at 445 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of Thursday.
This weather disturbance is still not expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone.
The LPA, as well as the tail-end of cold front, will bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
PAGASA warned residents, especially those living near river channels, low-lying areas, and mountainous areas, to take extra precaution against possible flooding and landslides.
Meanwhile, the rest of Visayas and of Mindanao will have scattered light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon or “amihan.”
A gale warning remains in effect as sea travel remains risky over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas and the northeastern coast of Mindanao.
PAGASA warned fisherfolk from setting sail into these coastlines due to rough seas that will be dangerous for small sea craft.
The rest of Luzon and Visayas and eastern Mindanao will have moderate to rough seas while only slight to moderate seas will prevail over the rest of the country. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)