TD “Betty” weakens into LPA will bring rains over Luzon starting Friday — PAGASA

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MANILA — Tropical depression “Betty” has weakened into a low pressure area, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said that tropical depression Betty weakened into low pressure area (LPA) due to the intrusion of cold air and also because of strong vertical wind shear or winds from different directions that blow into the country has been interacting with the circulation of the tropical cyclone.

Quitlong said the LPA has slim chance to re-intensify into tropical depression.

He said that as of 4 a.m., the LPA was spotted some 885 km East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.0˚N, 130.4˚E).

Quitlong said so far the LPA is still not affecting the country and the country on Thursday will enjoy generally fair weather.

He added once the LPA moves closer it will bring rains over the eastern side of Luzon by Friday evening and, until weekend, will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers in Luzon including Metro Manila.

He said the LPA is expected to hit landmass at central or southern Luzon by Saturday evening.

For Thursday, PAGASA said the whole country will experience partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Metro Manila’s temperature will range 19-32 degrees Celsius.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over the eastern section of Luzon and the coastal waters along this area will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.