Rains to persist over eastern PH as LPA moves closer to land

Metro Manila, Philippines - A low pressure area (LPA) brought rains to many parts of the country as it moved closer to land, the weather bureau said Friday afternoon, June 6.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA has a “medium chance” of developing into a tropical cyclone.

“Ibig sabihin tumaas ang kanyang tiyansa mabuo bilang isang bagyo pero hindi within the next 24 hours, beyond 24 hours pa po ito, kaya mag-monitor pa tayo sa magiging updates ng PAGASA,” state weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz said.

[Translation: This means its chance of becoming a tropical cyclone has increased not within the next 24 hours but beyond 24 hours. Let’s continue monitoring PAGASA updates.]

De la Cruz said the LPA will strengthen the southwest monsoon, or habagat, bringing rains over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, and Soccsksargen.

She said the LPA is causing rains to eastern areas in the country, particularly Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.

According to PAGASA, the LPA entered the PAR at 2 a.m. It was last spotted 340 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.

Once it becomes a tropical depression, it will be called “Auring,” the first tropical cyclone this year.

PAGASA said there might be one or two tropical cyclones this June. The bureau is expecting 11 to 19 tropical cyclones this year.

State meteorologists declared the start of the rainy season on Monday.