PAGASA: Potential cyclone nears Mindanao, rain over much of PHL

Rain is expected over several parts of the country Saturday even as a potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, moved closer to Mindanao, state weather forecasters said.

 

PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 330 km east of Mindanao as of 4 a.m., embedded along the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao.

 

"Visayas and the regions of Bicol, Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms," it said.

 

A separate report on dzBB radio said there is little chance for now that the LPA would develop into a cyclone.

 

If the LPA becomes a cyclone while inside the Philippine area of responsibility, it will be locally codenamed Jolina.

 

Saturday outlook

 

For Saturday, PAGASA said Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms."

 

It added moderate to strong winds from the southwest to south will prevail over the Western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

 

Light to moderate winds coming from the southwest to southeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and of Visayas and coming from the northeast to northwest over Mindanao, it said.

 

The coastal waters along these areas will be slight to moderate, PAGASA said.

 

Gale warning

 

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the southwest monsoon may affect the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said.  — ELR, GMA News