LPA off Surigao del Sur bringing rain to Caraga, Davao

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MANILA, Philippines – A low pressure area (LPA) in the southern part of the country is unlikely to become a tropical depression – welcome news as millions of Filipinos will vote on Monday, May 13, in the 2019 midterm elections.

In a bulletin issued 4 pm on Saturday, May 11, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA is located 400 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

The LPA is expected to bring light to moderate rain, and possibly severe thunderstorms, to the regions of Caraga and Davao until Sunday, May 12.

But PAGASA Weather Specialist Ana Clauren said the LPA will probably weaken and then dissipate within the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the southwesterlies or winds from the southwest will bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms to the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon on Sunday.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have generally fair weather with only localized thunderstorms. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

The Philippines gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year, but PAGASA expects only 14 to 18 in 2019 due to El Niño. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2019)

So far, the Philippines has had 3 tropical cyclones this year:

• Tropical Depression Amang – January
• Tropical Depression Betty – February
• Tropical Depression Chedeng – March

Below is the estimated number of tropical cyclones from May to October:

• May – 1 or 2
• June – 1 or 2
• July – 2 or 3
• August – 2 or 3
• September – 2 to 4
• October – 2 or 3

PAGASA declared the start of the dry season last March 22. – Rappler.com