PAGASA tracks potential LPA, sees 2-3 cyclones in June

State weather forecasters are tracking a potential low-pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao that may become a cyclone, even as they expect "two to three" cyclones to enter the Philippines this June. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Sonny Pajarilla said the potential LPA is presently located east of Mindanao. "We are monitoring a potential LPA east of Mindanao. It has the characteristics of developing into one," Pajarilla said in an interview on dzBB radio. "Inaasahan natin na nitong Hunyo, dalawa hanggang tatlong bagyo ang maaaring mabubuo," he added. Meanwhile, Pajarilla said an LPA 380 km west of Basco, Batanes as of 2 a.m. Wednesday has little chance of becoming a cyclone. But he said rains may fall on parts of the country partly due to an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao. "Extreme Northern Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest to South will prevail over the western section of Luzon and of Visayas with moderate to rough seas. — LBG, GMA News