PAGASA Warns of Heavy Rains as LPA and Shear Line Threaten PH

MANILA, Philippines – The holidays may be getting drenched as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts days of intense rainfall due to a low-pressure area (LPA) and a shear line affecting large portions of the country.

On Friday, Dec. 20, PAGASA Weather Specialist Obet Badrina reported that the LPA, currently hovering over the coastal waters of Mahinog, Camiguin, still has a chance to intensify into a tropical depression by Sunday, Dec. 22, as it moves towards the West Philippine Sea or exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

But it’s not just the LPA that’s causing concern. The shear line — where cold northeast monsoon winds clash with warm easterly winds — is expected to worsen weather conditions by bringing heavy to intense rainfalls across several regions.

Regions at Risk: Where the Downpour Will Hit Hardest

PAGASA’s forecast indicates a wet and potentially dangerous few days ahead, with several regions bracing for intense rainfall:

• Friday, Dec. 20:
  • Heavy to Intense Rainfall (100-200mm) in:
    Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
  • Moderate to Heavy Rainfall (50-100mm) in:
    Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
• Saturday, Dec. 21:
  • Heavy to Intense Rainfall in:
    Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Palawan.
  • Moderate to Heavy Rainfall in:
    Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
• Sunday, Dec. 22:
  • Heavy to Intense Rainfall persisting in:
    Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
  • Moderate to Heavy Rainfall in:
    Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

Flash Flood and Landslide Warnings

Badrina also noted that the cold northeast monsoon, or amihan, will bring cloudy skies and scattered rains to Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora.

With the continuous downpour, PAGASA is urging residents in mountainous or flood-prone areas to stay vigilant, as the risk of flash floods and landslides remains high. The agency advises the public to monitor updates, prepare emergency kits, and heed local authorities’ warnings for evacuations if necessary.

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