Weather: LPA east of Mindanao may become cyclone this week

A low-pressure area approaching the Philippines from the east may intensify into a cyclone by Thursday or Friday, state weather forecasters said Monday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration also said an LPA near the West Philippine Sea has dissolved. "May chance na magiging bagyo at ito sa darating na Huwebes o Biyernes. Pag hindi ito nagbago ay lumakas at magiging bagyo ito (It has a chance of becoming a cyclone by Thursday or Friday. If it does not change its direction and strength, it will likely gain more strength and become a cyclone)," PAGASA forecaster Ben Oris said in an interview on dzBB radio. Should the LPA become a cyclone while inside Philippine territory, it will be codenamed "Goring," the seventh in Philippine territory this year.

Oris said that as of 2 a.m. Monday, the LPA was estimated at 700 km east of Surigao City, embedded in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Meanwhile, Oris said a second LPA west of the country has dissolved. "Isa na lang ang LPA natin, ang sa West Philippine Sea ay nawala na. Isa na lang ang nakikita natin sa Mindanao (There is just one LPA left. The one at the West Philippine Sea has dissolved, so the only one left is the one approaching Mindanao)," he said. He said the ITCZ may bring rains to parts of the country, including Metro Manila. Oris said Metro Manila may expect rains and thunderstorms as well as cloudy skies especially in the afternoon. — RSJ, GMA News