PAGASA: Cyclone-free weekend likely

A cyclone-free weekend is likely as state weather forecasters said on Friday a potential cyclone near the Visayas may make landfall before becoming a tropical depression. But the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a new potential cyclone may form outside the Philippines and enter Philippine territory Monday. "For now, the low-pressure area is 420 km east of the Visayas. Our models show it may make landfall as an LPA if it continues on its present course within 24 hours," PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the LPA may bring rain to parts of the Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao. As of 2 a.m., PAGASA said the is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and Mindanao. "So far yung pagbabasehan nating mga numerical model hindi magiging bagyo ito subali't magdudulot ito ng pag-ulan," he said. On the other hand, Quitlong said PAGASA's models show a new LPA may form off the Caroline Islands and may become a cyclone that might enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday. Quitlong said the LPA is likely to form inside the ITCZ, which he noted extends even outside Philippine territory. Should the LPA become a cyclone in Philippine territory, it will be codenamed "Ramon." Quitlong said their models at present indicate the new potential cyclone may also threaten the Isabela-Cagayan area, which had been pounded by recent typhoons "Pedring" (Nesat) and "Quiel" (Nalgae). PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said the Bicol region, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. — LBG, GMA News