LPA formed inside PAR, likely to develop into a cyclone - PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines – A cloud cluster east of Northern Luzon has developed into a low pressure area and may become a tropical depression over the weekend, weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Sept. 20.

Forecasters last spotted the LPA 590 kilometers Southeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

PAGASA said the weather disturbance will be named ‘Igme’ once it becomes a cyclone.

“Itong low pressure area na ito ay mababa ang tsansa na mag-landfall at makaapekto sa anumang panig ng bansa,” Benison Estareja, PAGASA weather specialist, said in its 4 a.m. bulletin.

[Translation: This LPA has a low chance of hitting land and affecting any part of the country]

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is still triggering rains over the western section of Luzon, particularly in Zambales, Bataan, and the Ilocos region.

Scattered rains may also persist over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and parts of Visayas because of the monsoon.