The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is closely monitoring two low pressure areas (LPAs) within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday afternoon, July 21.
The state weather bureau said, as of 2 p.m., both LPAs had a “medium” chance that either or both weather systems could intensify into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
In an interview with DZRH’s Breaktime, PAGASA weather specialist Liane Loreto said as of 3:00 p.m., the first LPA was located at approximately 1,220 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon.
While the second was spotted at about 405 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan. The southwest monsoon remains active and continues to affect the country.
“Sa ating forecast, by tomorrow posibleng mag-merge itong dalawang LPA at maging isang malaking sirkulasyon,” Loreto said.
“Ang magiging epekto nito ay i-e-enhance nito at palalakasin ang hatak nitong sa Southwest Monsoon,” she added.
Moreover, once it becomes a named storm, it will be called Dante.
The two LPAs could merge into a broader circulation by Tuesday, which may further strengthen the southwest monsoon or habagat, bringing more intense and widespread rainfall in the coming days, particularly by Wednesday or Thursday.
Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Occidental Mindoro are among the areas forecast to experience heavy rains in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Ilocos Region, Benguet, Tarlac, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro are also expected to experience significant rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over the Visayas, the rest of Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region. Meanwhile, the rest of Mindanao is likely to enjoy generally fair weather.
Loreto explained that the strength of habagat-induced rains depends not only on tropical cyclones themselves but also on how they influence wind flow in the region.
Current models indicate a northwestward movement, likely toward the Japan area, and away from the Philippine landmass. However, the system’s influence on local weather may linger.
“Ang mga pag-ulan na ganito po ay tatagal ng halos buong linggo pero may mga breaks po baka panandalian lamang,” Loreto noted.
PAGASA advised the public to stay vigilant, follow local advisories, and continue monitoring official weather bulletins in the coming days.
