THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday, December 19, of ongoing threats of flash floods and landslides across large parts of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao due to the combined effects of the shear line and a low-pressure area (LPA).
PAGASA also stated that the LPA has a high chance of intensifying into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
The LPA was located 245 kilometers east of Surigao del Norte at around 3 a.m. He noted that the LPA’s circulation is expected to improve and, with continued warm waters, it has a strong likelihood of redeveloping into a tropical depression.
If this occurs, the system will be named “Querubin.”
Should the LPA reintensify, tropical cyclone wind signals may be raised in several areas across Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region.
However, heavy rainfall warnings remain in effect across much of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao due to the ongoing shear line and LPA.
At 8:00 AM today, the Low-Pressure Area (LPA 12a) within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has a high likelihood of intensifying into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
On Friday, December 20, Estareja warned that moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms may affect Quezon, Bicol, and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao as the LPA or tropical depression moves across the Visayas and Mindanao toward the Sulu Sea.
Heavy to intense rainfall, ranging from 100 to 200 millimeters, is expected to particularly impact areas including Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may affect Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur.
It was also mentioned that scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms could affect Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan due to the shear line.
Cooler weather, accompanied by light to moderate scattered rains, is expected to continue across the rest of Luzon due to the northeast monsoon (amihan).
From Saturday to Sunday, December 21 to 22, Estareja added that moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms will persist over Southern Luzon and the Visayas as the weather disturbance moves across the West Philippine Sea.