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MANILA, Philippines – Forecasters spotted a new low pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday, July 3.

In a bulletin issued 4 am on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA is 730 kilometers east of General Santos City.

According to PAGASA Weather Specialist Aldczar Aurelio, the LPA only has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression. But it will still bring rain.

In particular, the trough or extension of the LPA is already expected to trigger scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in Eastern Visayas and Mindanao on Wednesday.

Flash floods and landslides are possible if the thunderstorms become severe. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

So far, the Philippines has had 5 tropical cyclones in 2019, all classified as tropical depressions. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2019)

The Philippines gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, but since 2019 is an El Niño year, only 14 to 18 tropical cyclones are expected.

Below is the estimated number of tropical cyclones from July to December:

• July – 2 or 3
• August – 2 to 4
• September – 2 to 4
• October – 2 or 3
• November – 1 or 2
• December – 0 or 1

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat is affecting the western part of Luzon.

Scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected in Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Palawan.

There could also be flash floods and landslides during severe thunderstorms.

As a result of heavy monsoon rain and floods in the past couple of days, a few areas suspended classes for Wednesday. (READ: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Wednesday, July 3)

PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season last June 14. – Rappler.com