Northern Luzon braces for heavy rains, strong winds as LPA approaches

A low-pressure area (LPA) is forecast to bring heavy rains and strong gusts of wind over Northern Luzon as it approaches the country, the state weather bureau said. "As it (LPA) nears the landmass, we expect heavy rains and winds, especially in Northern Luzon," Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Chenel Dominguez reported during a 5 a.m. weather advisory on Wednesday. As of 3 a.m., the LPA was estimated 1,200 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon. Once it develops into a tropical cyclone and enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) it will be given a domestic name Kiyapo, Dominguez said. The LPA is expected to enter the PAR on Wednesday morning, moving generally northwestward. Dominguez said the weather disturbance could make landfall over Cagayan between Friday to Saturday. "Its projected track is generally northwestward, potentially bringing it close to or making landfall in Cagayan, likely between Friday and Saturday," Dominguez said. She added that LPA could reach tropical storm category, with the highest wind signals being hoisted to signal number 2. "In terms of intensity, we also expect it to reach tropical storm category, with the highest Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal to be raised being Signal No. 2," Dominguez stated. The trough of the LPA is expected to bring gloomy skies with scattered rains over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas on Wednesday. Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are also expected to prevail over the following areas due to the southwest monsoon, or habagat, according to Pagasa. Pagasa issued a heavy rainfall advisory in the following areas, with 50 to 100 millimeters of rain forecast due to the habagat: Localized thunderstorms are likely to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Manila and the rest of Luzon. /das