PAGASA monitoring LPA, cloud cluster which could intensify outside PAR

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) — The state weather bureau on Sunday said it was monitoring a new low pressure area (LPA) west of Luzon that is unlikely to enter the country's weather monitoring area.

“Ang LPA na ito, wala namang direktang epekto sa kahit anong bahagi ng ating bansa at mababa na ang tsansa nito na pumasok sa ating Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR),” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Veronica Torres said in the 4 p.m. forecast.

[Translation: This LPA has no direct effect on any part of the country and there is a low chance that it will enter the PAR.]

PAGASA is also monitoring a cloud cluster east of Visayas and Mindanao.

If the cluster becomes an LPA, it will remain over the ocean and could enter the PAR early next week, the agency said.

"Continuous monitoring tayo dito sa mga kaulapan na ito sa posibilidad na magkaroon ito ng sirkulasyon at maging ganap na low pressure area sa mga susunod na araw," PAGASA weather forecaster Grace Castañeda said in the 4 a.m. briefing.

[Translation: We are monitoring these cloud clusters as these could have circulation and fully develop into a low pressure area in the next days.]

No other weather disturbances are forecast to directly affect the country, Castañeda added.

State meteorologists announced the start of the rainy season last June 2, and said that 10 to 15 tropical cyclones may hit the country from June to October.

The prevailing southwest monsoon, or habagat, may bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and northern Palawan, including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands on Sunday.

PAGASA also warned of possible flooding and rain-induced landslides in areas affected by the southwest monsoon.

In Metro Manila and the rest of the country, the southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms may cause partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a high chance of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms especially from the afternoon to evening.