MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image
6:32 p.m., 22 August 2013
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With Luzon still reeling from the effects of the monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring (Trami), another potential cyclone—a low-pressure area (LPA)—is approaching the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) from the east.
PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Thursday the new LPA appears to be following the same track as Maring, which already exited the PAR early Wednesday.
"Itong LPA nasa labas ng PAR, nasa Pacific Ocean, 2,000 km east of Northern Luzon," Aurelio said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Rains from Habagat, not LPA
So far, he said the LPA has no direct effect on the Philippines, adding that the rain over Metro Manila and nearby provinces early Thursday was due to the southwest monsoon (Habagat).
He said that PAGASA forecast models indicate the LPA will follow the path of Maring, which had passed Northern Luzon and enhanced the southwest monsoon.
The southwest monsoon enhanced by Maring last weekend had caused at least 16 deaths in Metro Manila and nearby areas in Luzon.
"Yan initially magiging track ng LPA o bagyo sa ganitong buwan. August o September, sa taas siya bandang Luzon," he said.
When asked when the LPA may enter the PAR, he said it might do so on Friday.
But he also said there is a chance the LPA may change direction or even dissolve.
"Malakas ang epekto ng habagat, yan ang ayaw ng LPA pag malakas hangin sa paligid," he said.
Cloud formation near Mindanao. Meanwhile, Aurelio said they are also tracking a cloud cluster that could develop into an LPA near Mindanao.
This early, he said the cloud cluster is causing rain in the Mindanao area.
