Pagasa tracks new weather disturbance

State weather forecasters are tracking a shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) off Mindanao that may possibly intensify into a cyclone. The SLPA was estimated at 250 km east of Mindanao as of 2 a.m. Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa also said the northeast monsoon is affecting northern Luzon. Should the SLPA eventually intensify into a cyclone, it will be code-named "Urduja." "Visayas and Mindanao, including Palawan, will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while Northern and Eastern Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered light rains. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," it said. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Pagasa said strong to gale force winds will affect the seaboards of Luzon. - GMANews.TV