LPA, monsoon to bring heavy rain in Luzon, Visayas

A low-pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon or habagat are expected to bring significant rainfall across large parts of Luzon and the Visayas in the coming days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in an advisory issued Saturday.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the LPA was located approximately 285 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon. While it has a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours, PAGASA has not ruled out possible intensification in the days ahead.

The weather bureau said the LPA is moving in a generally northwestward direction, which may bring it closer to northern and central Luzon.

Moderate to heavy rains ranging from 50 to 100 millimeters are forecast over Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay. By afternoon through Tuesday, the same amount of rainfall is expected over Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

By Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, heavy rains may affect Pangasinan.

Habagat continues to bring widespread rain across several regions, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected throughout the day in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, parts of Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

Rainfall is forecast to intensify over Occidental Mindoro, while persistent moderate to heavy rains will affect Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Palawan and various provinces in the Visayas.

On Tuesday through Wednesday, heavier rainfall between 100 and 200 millimeters is forecast in Occidental Mindoro, while the rest of Luzon and parts of the Visayas may experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rain.