LPA may become Philippines’ first tropical cyclone for 2025

The trough or extension of the low pressure area and the southwest monsoon are causing rain in parts of the country on Friday, June 6

MANILA, Philippines – A low pressure area (LPA) that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 2 am on Friday, June 6, could become the country’s first tropical cyclone for 2025.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 8 am, the LPA had a “medium” chance of development into a tropical depression within 24 hours.

If it develops into a tropical depression, it would be given the local name Auring.

At 8 am, the LPA was located 480 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.

On Friday, the trough or extension of the LPA is already bringing scattered rain and thunderstorms to Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, and the Davao Region.

By weekend, as the potential tropical cyclone approaches, the rain is seen to worsen in several provinces. PAGASA provided the following rainfall outlook for the LPA as of 5 am on Friday:

Saturday, June 7

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar

Sunday, June 8

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur

Affected provinces should brace for possible floods and landslides.

Southwest monsoon

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or habagat is affecting Luzon and the western portions of the Visayas and Mindanao on Friday.

Scattered rain and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon are expected in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Soccsksargen on Friday. The rest of Luzon will have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Rainfall due to the southwest monsoon in the next three days may be heaviest in the following areas:

Friday, June 6

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Antique

Saturday, June 7

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte

Sunday, June 8

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte

Flash floods and landslides are possible, too.

PAGASA earlier said one or two tropical cyclones are expected to form within or enter PAR in June. For the next six months, or from June to November, there could be 11 to 19 tropical cyclones.

The start of the rainy season was declared last Monday, June 2, while the southwest monsoon’s onset was announced on May 30. – Rappler.com