MANILA, Philippines --- The active low pressure area (ALPA) east of the country continued to gather strength as it moved closer to the country yesterday, state weather forecasters said.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) senior weather forecaster Jori Loiz said the rains over parts of Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao were due to the intensification of the ALPA located east of Virac, Catanduanes.
As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the weather disturbance was estimated at 760 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.
"The wind convergence in the west of the country has caused the rains over the western section of Luzon, and Visayas. The clouds from the west of the country are being pulled by the LPA, causing rains over the western section of the country, including Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Visayas," Loiz said.
"If the weather disturbance continues to intensify, this will enhance the southwest monsoon that could bring more rains over the western part of the country," he added.
PAGASA warned of widespread rains over the Bicol Region, Palawan, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Minadanao that could trigger flashfloods and landslides.
Loiz said the ALPA, which continues to move northwest, could intensify into a tropical depression on Wednesday or Thursday.
"If it maintains its northwest movement, the weather disturbance is not likely to make landfall on any part of the country. However, it is possible that it will still change its track. This is still too far from the landmass," he added.
Loiz also said the intensity of southwest monsoon will ease in the Visayas, and Southern Luzon, as the weather disturbance moves upward or towards Taiwan in the next days, but its effects will shift over areas of Central and Northern Luzon.
