LPA affecting Mindanao seen to dissipate within hours

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MANILA, Philippines – The low pressure area (LPA) bringing rain to parts of Mindanao is expected to dissipate soon.

In a bulletin issued 4 pm on Sunday, May 12, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA is already in the vicinity of San Luis, Agusan del Sur. It earlier hit land in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, at 1 pm.

PAGASA Weather Specialist Ariel Rojas said the LPA is weakening after hitting land and is expected to dissipate in the next few hours. This is good news as the 2019 midterm elections will take place on Monday, May 13.

But in the meantime, the LPA will continue to bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms to Caraga, the Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.

A frontal system is also affecting Northern Luzon. Scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley.

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