PAGASA: Potential cyclone exits but rain still threatens PHL

A shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) initially considered a potential cyclone moved out of Philippine territory Friday but state weather forecasters said the weekend will still be rainy. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also warned of possible flash floods and landslides over parts of Central and Southern Luzon. The SLPA has exited the Philippine area of responsibility. It is outside the West Philippine Sea," PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said there is still no sign of another low-pressure area (LPA) that was earlier expected to bring rain to the country during the weekend. Earlier, Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said the SLPA, as well as the approaching LPA, would become cyclones but only after exiting Philippine territory. Still, Galang said the weekend will be rainy due to the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ). "We can expect rainy weather during the weekend although there will be breaks," he said. Galang also said the ITCZ may cause widespread rain over the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon and cause flash floods and landslides. "There may be heavy rain in the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. This may trigger flash floods and landslides," he said. PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said the ITCZ whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. — LBG, GMA News