PAGASA: LPA may form on Tuesday

THE Philippines may face its second typhoon of the year as the state weather bureau warned of a potential low-pressure area (LPA) forming within the country’s area of responsibility on Tuesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a 5 a.m. weather briefing on Sunday that the weather system could enter the country’s monitoring zone early this week, with a moderate chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.

If it strengthens, it would be locally named Basyang.

PAGASA said the earliest possible impact could be felt by Wednesday, bringing cloudy skies and rain to parts of the country.

Forecasts for February indicate that the Philippines may see zero to one tropical cyclone during the month, with any storm likely to follow a recurving path away from land, though systems may still pass near the Visayas or parts of Mindanao.

The agency added that the northeast monsoon, or amihan, continues to affect much of the country, keeping temperatures cooler, particularly in mountainous areas of Luzon where minimum temperatures could drop to 10-12°C.

Several areas in southern Luzon and the Visayas are also experiencing heavy rainfall due to a shear line, prompting advisories for possible flooding and landslides.

PAGASA urged residents in affected areas to remain alert, as weather conditions may still change in the coming days. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana