Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the Visayas and Mindanao – and a steady drizzle throughout the day in Metro Manila – on Tuesday were caused by the low-pressure area and the intertropical Convergence Zone, the weather bureau said.
The unexpected downpour likewise clogged major roads and left passengers stranded in some parts of the National Capital Region amid a rush of activity – including intense campaigning by candidates ahead of the May 9 general elections — before Filipinos take a break and observe the Holy Week next week.
“This LPA is embedded along ITCZ affecting Mindanao. It has a slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone, but it continues to move near Eastern Visayas so it will bring rains over the area,” weather specialist Samuel Duran of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The LPA was last tracked 320 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
For Wednesday’s forecast, PAGASA said the northeasterly surface windflow will cause rains in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Bulacan, and Calabarzon.
Bicol, on the other hand, will experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the shear line.
Isolated light rains will prevail over the rest of Luzon due to the northeasterly surface windflow.
Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will continue to prevail over the entire archipelago.
Strong to gale force winds are forecast over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, the western seaboard of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon.
PAGASA advised fishing boats and other small sea vessels not to venture into the sea, and larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
At 3 p.m. Tuesday, the LPA was spotted 260 kilometers east northeast of Davao City, PAGASA said in its 24-hour weather forecast.
Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms due to the shear line and LPA.
Residents were advised of possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rains.
Cagayan Valley will have cloudy skies with rains caused by the northeasterly windflow.
