LPA Nears Cyclone Strength, Metro Manila May See Rains

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila may experience scattered rains on Tuesday, June 30, as a low-pressure area (LPA) moves across the country and remains likely to develop into a tropical depression within 24 hours. PAGASA weather forecaster Chanell Dominguez said the LPA was last spotted over the coastal waters of San Pascual, Masbate. The weather disturbance may become a tropical depression while crossing land or after it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, PAGASA said. "The chance remains high that it will become a full-fledged storm," Dominguez said in PAGASA's public weather forecast. If the LPA becomes a tropical depression, it will be given the local name Henry. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may also be raised over parts of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, the state weather bureau said. Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, Mindoro provinces, Romblon and Marinduque may experience scattered rain due to the LPA on Tuesday. Temperatures in Metro Manila are forecast to range from 25° to 32° Celsius. In an advisory at 5 a.m., PAGASA said 50 to 100 millimeters of rain may affect Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan and Capiz on Tuesday due to the low-pressure area. PAGASA warned that rainfall may be heavier in mountainous and elevated areas, while impacts may be worse in places that have already received significant rain in recent days. The weather bureau said flash floods and landslides are possible in areas affected by this volume of rain. On Wednesday, July 1, the LPA is expected to move out of the Philippine landmass and possibly reach the West Philippine Sea. Palawan and Occidental Mindoro may still receive 50 to 100 mm of rain. By Thursday, July 2, Palawan may still receive 50 to 100 mm of rain as the weather disturbance pulls the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat. PAGASA said the southwest monsoon has weakened and is now mainly affecting Palawan. The entire Visayas may also experience scattered rain due to the low-pressure area, while Palawan may see rain due to the southwest monsoon. Mindanao is forecast to have generally fair weather, although isolated rain showers remain possible, especially in the afternoon or evening, due to localized thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. PAGASA said no gale warning had been raised over any seaboard in the country as of Tuesday morning.