A potential storm brewing outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility may hit parts of Mindanao on Christmas Day while another low-pressure area also near the island has started to bring scattered rainshowers to some parts of the country, the State weather bureau said yesterday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said that it is monitoring two LPAs – one inside and the other outside the PAR.
The LPA inside PAR was spotted 795 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur before dawn yesterday.
PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz said the trough or extension of this LPA will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms over Caraga, Davao region, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, and Central Visayas.
The LPA nearer to the country is unlikely to strengthen into a storm, PAGASA said.
The second LPA was last spotted 2,650 kilometers east of Mindanao.
According to Dela Cruz, this brewing storm is expected to enter the country on Monday or at least two days before Christmas and will bring heavy rains over eastern parts of Visayas and Mindanao beginning Tuesday. (Alexandria San Juan)