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MANILA, Philippines – The low pressure area (LPA) east of General Santos City already dissipated, but forecasters spotted a new one off Zamboanga City.

In a bulletin issued 4 am on Friday, July 5, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the new LPA is 40 kilometers east of Zamboanga City.

Due to this new LPA, scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected in the following areas in Mindanao on Friday:

• Zamboanga Peninsula
• Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
• Northern Mindanao
• Soccsksargen

Flash floods and landslides are possible during severe thunderstorms.

PAGASA Weather Specialist Gener Quitlong said the LPA is unlikely to develop into a tropical depression and may also dissipate in the coming days. (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 rest of the country, not affected by the LPA or any weather system, will only have isolated rainshowers or localized thunderstorms on Friday.

The southwest monsoon or hanging habagat is weak temporarily, so the country is experiencing a monsoon break. A monsoon break lasts a few days up to two weeks.

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