LPA poses possibility of a typhoon over the weekend.

MANILA, Philippines (July 28) – A Low Pressure Area (LPA) is being closely monitored as it approaches the Eastern section of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

If it continues to move toward the same direction, it may also affect the Bicol region and if fully developed, the LPA will become a typhoon on Saturday or Sunday.

Sources explain that low pressure areas form when atmospheric circulations of air up and down remove a small amount of atmosphere from a region. This usually happens along the boundary between warm and cold air masses by air flows “trying” to reduce that temperature contrast. The air flows that develop around the low pressure system then help to accomplish that reduction of contrast in temperature, with the colder air flowing under the warmer air mass, and the warmer air flowing over the colder air mass.

Based on available data gathered by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), the LPA was last seen at 550 kilometers Southeast of Hinatuan City, Surigao Del Sur. It remains embedded along Intertropical Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which affects the Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan.

The country’s weather bureau forecasts on its July 28, 2016 (Thursday) advisory that partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Luzon while the Visayas and Mindanao shall feel the winds blowing from Northeast going to the Northern direction.

Despite the approaching LPA, it is forecast that the coastal water throughout the archipelago will be calm to moderately wavy.

In this regard, the PAG-ASA advises the small fisherfolks to monitor for possible issuance of gale warnings that prohibit small fishing boats and rafts to sail for their safety.