Potential cyclone spotted near Batanes

MANILA, Philippines - A low pressure area (LPA) was spotted hovering near Batanes on Friday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

As of 4 a.m., the LPA was spotted in the vicinity of Itbayat, Batanes and would be named "Maring" if it intensifies into a tropical depression.

PAGASA said the weak southwest monsoon affecting the western section of the country will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms in the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Zamboanga Peninsula.

It said the rest of the country, including Metro Manila will, have fair weather with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and possible isolated rains in the afternoon or evening due to localized thunderstorms.

This weekend, most parts of the country including Metro Manila will likely experience rainy weather with cloudy skies due to the LPA enhancing the southwest monsoon.

In its advisory, PAGASA said that moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the south to southwest with slight to moderate seas.

PAGASA warned of strong to gale-force winds associated with the weakening southwest monsoon affecting the western section of Northern Luzon.

"Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are alerted against moderate to rough seas," it said.