by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The low pressure area (LPA) east of the country, which has a potential to become a tropical depression, will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over several areas this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday afternoon, Dec. 9.
PAGASA said the LPA was last spotted 245 kilometers east-northeast of Surigao City around 3 p.m. and may move west-northwestward and pass close to Eastern Visayas or Bicol Region this weekend.
When it becomes a tropical depression, it will be given the local name “Rosal.” It will be the 18th tropical cyclone for 2022 and first for December.
PAGASA said cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Bicol Region, Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
“Under these conditions, flooding, and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in areas with significant antecedent rainfall,” it warned.
PAGASA also said that cloudy weather with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Isabela, Aurora, Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte due to the shear line—a boundary line where the cold and warm air masses meet.
Those in areas affected by the shear line are advised to remain vigilant in case of moderate to heavy rains, as it may also cause flash floods or landslides.
The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the shear line or localized thunderstorms.
However, PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant as severe thunderstorms may also cause flash floods or landslides, especially in areas prone to these hazards.
