LPA off Surigao may strengthen into cyclone this weekend

State weather meteorologists warn that a low pressure area (LPA) off the coast of Mindanao may strengthen into a cyclone by Saturday at the earliest, making for rainy weather across the eastern Philippines this weekend.

As of 10am Friday, PAGASA posited the LPA some 815km east of Hinatuan City, Surigao del Sur. It could develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Already, an atmospheric trough ahead of the disturbance is bringing up to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms across Mindanao, eastern Visayas, and Bicol.

If the LPA intensifies, it will be named "Bising"—the second cyclone to develop in the PAR this year and the first for the month of February. — GMA News