Rainy Friday in most parts of PHL — PAGASA

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MANILA — Flash floods and landslides threaten most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila due to heavy rains brought by low pressure area affecting the area, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday.

In an interview, PAGASA senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente said that as of 4 a.m. the LPA was spotted some 280 km east of Baler, Aurora (15.5ºN, 124.5ºE).

Paciente said the LPA has slim chance to intensify into tropical cyclone as it is expected to weaken into trough as it merges with a tropical storm outside the country’s area of responsibility.

He said the tropical storm is expected to enter the country by Sunday afternoon and it will be locally named “Florita”.

He added the tropical storm is expected to recurve towards Japan and will not directly affect the country but will enhance the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” that will bring rains in Luzon and Visayas starting Monday next week.

For Friday forecast, Paciente said parts of Luzon may expect moderate to sometimes heavy rain, due to the LPA off Aurora and to the southwest monsoon.

He said Metro Manila, the Regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon will have moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslide.

He advised the public to continue monitoring and to take precautions against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flash floods.

He added the rest of Luzon and Mindanao will be cloudy with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms while Visayas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Paciente said expect a rainy weekend due to weather disturbance and the approaching tropical storm.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest to west will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

It added light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas.