MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos may welcome the new year with rain showers, as a new low pressure area enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday, Pagasa said.
In its 11:00 a.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said it has monitored the coming of a new LPA 910 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Pagasa said the weather system is expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours.
National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council spokesperson Mina Marasigan, in a press conference on Sunday, said that the LPA "may be completely felt by Monday (January 1) afternoon."
Pagasa also said that new LPA "may cross Mindanao beginning Monday until Tuesday and bring moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides."
Should the LPA develop into a tropical depression on January 1, maritime operations along the eastern seaboard of Surigao, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands and Siargao, and eastern seaboard of Leyte provinces will be disrupted.
Marasigan said that there are also other weather systems. like the tail end of a cold front in the Visayas and the northeast monsoon in Luzon. affecting the country. That means isolated rain showers and localized thunderstorms across the country.
Marasigan reiterated the public should heed the call of the local government unit heads to monitor the weather disturbance.