LPA to become tropical depression soon —PAGASA

A low-pressure area (LPA) being monitored by PAGASA is expected to turn into a tropical depression within the next 24 to 36 hours, the state weather bureau said Monday.

In its 4 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the LPA is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

It was last seen 700 kilometers west of Oriental Mindoro.

The LPA is expected to remain near the PAR boundary within the next two to three days. Once it enters the country and evolves into a typhoon, it will be called Quiel.

PAGASA is also monitoring a Severe Tropical Storm with the international name Halong, which was last seen 3,400 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

It is not expected to enter PAR.

Meanwhile, two weather systems are forecast to bring cloudy skies and rains over the country within the next 24 hours.

A frontal system or the boundary between the northeast monsoon and warm winds from the east is causing cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.

The trough or outer part of the LPA is bringing cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and the rest of the Ilocos region.

For Metro Manila and the rest of the country, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers are to be expected due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA advised the public to anticipate possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News