The Trough of Low Pressure Area (LPA) outside PAR will bring light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Meanwhile, cold weather coupled with light rains is expected in Batanes and the islands of Calayan and Babuyan as the Northeast Monsoon or the Amihan continues to affect the extreme Northern Luzon. Fair weather with a chance of isolated light rains is expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. The rest of the country will enjoy fair weather conditions.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, as of 2 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was located at 1,700 kms. east of Mindanao. Said LPA might enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight or tomorrow morning. It might intensify in the coming hours as a Tropical Cyclone as it enters our boundary. There is a big chance that it will make its landfall in the Bicol Region or Eastern Visayas, though there is still the possibility of recurvature.

Eastern and Central Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and possible thunderstorms due to the trough or the extension of a low pressure area (LPA). The rest of Visayas will have fair weather apart from isolated cases of rains.

The northeast monsoon continues to prevail over Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains in the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. As for Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, skies will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated light rains.

Meanwhile, the LPA is now estimated at 1,990 kms. east of Mindanao. State Meteorologist Buddy Javier says it is still expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday.

Current data analysis shows a less probability of the LPA crossing the Visayas as compared to it moving towards Luzon before recurving to the northeast where it will weaken due to cold air intrusion. PAGASA implements continuous monitoring as significant changes may occur.

PAPAL VISIT WEATHER OUTLOOK

PAGASA releases a special weather outlook during Pope Francis’s visit covering January 13 to 19, 2015.

Starting January 13-17, Metro Manila is expected to have generally good weather condition aside from passing light rains due to the northeast monsoon. However, moderate to heavy rains are possible come Sunday, January 18, as the monitored weather disturbance is expected to move near the eastern side of Southern Luzon. By Monday, January 19, a rainy weather condition will continue in Metro Manila as the weather disturbance moves north and is expected to recurve in a northeast direction.

Meanwhile, in Tacloban, light to moderate rain showers are expected on Friday and Saturday (January 16-17). Thunderstorms are also likely to occur. This weather condition will continue on Sunday. Improved weather conditions are then expected by Monday.