LPA’s rain possible across Mindanao

More areas in Mindanao may experience rain until early next week. (Photo: PAGASA Weather Center/ Facebook)

MANILA—More areas in Mindanao may experience rain until early next week.

Such scenario is likely if the low-pressure area (LPA) in the Pacific enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility and nears Mindanao landmass, noted weather forecaster Robb Gile from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“If that happens, the LPA will bring until around Monday (March 20) or Tuesday (March 21) light to moderate rain and thunderstorms to Caraga, Davao, Northern Mindanao, Northern Cotabato, Automous Region in Muslim Mindanao and even west-lying Zamboanga del Norte all in Mindanao,” he said.

The LPA may also bring rain to the Visayas and Luzon’s Bicol Region, he noted.

PAGASA said the LPA’s trough or extension was affecting only Mindanao’s eastern seaboard at present, bringing rain there.

“Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolatedthunderstorms are expected over CARAGA and Davao regions,” PAGASA also said in its 24-hour forecast released Saturday (March 18).

Gile said latest available model outputs indicated higher chance for the LPA not to dissipate early but to bring rain across Mindanao as well as the Visayas and Bicol.

He said the LPA might also bring light to moderate rain this Tuesday to Bicol and provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Isabela all in Luzon.

“There’s low chance for the LPA to intensify into a tropical cyclone, however,” he said.

The northeast monsoon or ‘amihan’ will likely still affect Northern Luzon until early next week, Gile said.

He’s not discounting the possibility that ‘amihan’ may resurge then, bringing anew strong to gale-force winds that previously fanned rough to very rough Northern Luzon seas and waves up to 4.5 meters high.

‘Amihan’ will likely affect just either Northern Luzon or its northernmost areas, however, he added.