Low pressure system near M’nao seen to bring rains

A LOW-PRESSURE area (LPA) may approach and cross Mindanao between Sunday and Monday, bringing light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms, the state weather bureau said.

However, there’s a slim chance that the low pressure would develop into a tropical depression, said forecasting chief Robert Sawi of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“Circulation of that LPA is only shallow, so it’s unlikely for this weather system to intensify further,” Sawi said.

Tropical cyclones are unlikely in the country until Monday, he noted.

According to Sawi, the low pressure could still enhance the northeasterly wind flow and bring light rains even to Luzon’s northern and eastern sections as well as Eastern Visayas on Sunday and Monday.

That LPA might also trigger the onset of the northeast monsoon or “amihan,” he said.

“If such happens, ‘amihan’ will bring light rains to eastern sections of Luzon and the Visayas,” he added.

“Amihan,” which affects the Philippines’ eastern portions from October to late March, is characterized by “widespread” cloudiness with rains or showers.

The inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) south of the country at present may oscillate northwards and affect Southern Luzon, the Visayas and most of Mindanao and bring these areas light rain showers and scattered thunderstorms until Saturday.

Earlier this month, Pagasa announced that the 2016 southwest monsoon or “habagat” is already officially over in the Philippines.

The bureau noted that the strengthening of high-pressure systems over the Asian mainland is fueling the gradual changing of the season.

Philippine climate is already transitioning from “habagat” to “amihan,” noted Pagasa.

“Amihan” starts over Siberia as a cold, dry air mass that gathers moisture while traveling across the Pacific Ocean towards the Philippines. (pna)