LPA to bring rains, may become tropical storm

National

A BREWING weather disturbance east of Mindanao is poised to shift the country’s weather pattern in the coming days.

Cebu is expected to see continued cloudy skies and intermittent rains as state meteorologists track a developing low-pressure area that could strengthen into Tropical Storm Verbena.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said a tropical cyclone–like vortex (TCLV) is “highly likely” to form inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between November 21 and 27.

If it intensifies, it will be assigned the local name Verbena.

Pagasa weather specialist John Manalo said the system could begin affecting Northeastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas as early as Sunday afternoon, November 23, with more pronounced effects starting Monday.

“It now has a higher chance of becoming a low-pressure area,” Manalo said in a Friday briefing. “The earliest it can affect the country… is by Sunday afternoon. It will be felt the most starting Monday and in the days afterward.”

For now, Cebu and the rest of the Visayas will continue to experience partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, mainly due to prevailing Easterlies.

Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will persist over the Visayas, Palawan (including Kalayaan Islands), and Occidental Mindoro, resulting in moderate to rough seas. Pagasa urged small vessels to exercise caution.

Metro Cebu forecast (Pagasa VISPRSD)

Saturday, November 22

• Weather: Partly cloudy to at times cloudy with rainshowers or thunderstorms

• Temperature: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

• Winds: Light to Moderate (Northeast)

• Coastal waters: Slight to Moderate

Sunday, November 23

• Weather: Partly cloudy to at times cloudy with rainshowers or thunderstorms

• Temperature: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius

• Winds: Light to Moderate (Northeast)

• Coastal waters: Slight to Moderate

Monday, November 24

• Temperature: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius

• Winds: Moderate (Northeast)

• Coastal waters: Moderate

Tuesday, November 25

• Temperature: 24 to 29 degrees Celsius

• Winds: Moderate (Northeast to Southeast)

• Coastal waters: Moderate

Wednesday, November 26

• Temperature: 24 to 29 degrees Celsius

• Winds: Light to Moderate (Southeast to East)

• Coastal waters: Slight to Moderate

In its tropical cyclone threat potential forecast, Pagasa said the developing TCLV may traverse the Philippines and emerge over the West Philippine Sea sometime between November 28 and December 4.

The agency also noted the possibility of a second TCLV forming east of the monitoring domain within the same period, though it currently has a “low chance” of intensifying into a tropical cyclone.

As of Friday, the country is influenced by several dominant weather systems. A Shear Line is affecting Northern Luzon, accompanied by the Northeast Monsoon over the rest of Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is impacting Mindanao and Palawan, while Easterlies prevail across the Visayas region.

These combined systems are keeping weather conditions unsettled but manageable, Pagasa said, though potential cyclone development could shift the pattern quickly.

Pagasa urged residents, especially in Visayas and Mindanao, to monitor official bulletins over the weekend as the disturbance continues to consolidate.(TGP)