It was seen moving west on Tuesday (December 2), during which the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the weather system has a “high likelihood” of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 to 48 hours.
On Wednesday (December 3), the LPA is expected to become a “bagyo” (tropical storm), to be named “Wilma” as it enters PAR.
Uncertainty
Weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said that forecast models suggest the system could potentially make landfall in Eastern Visayas or Caraga, but there remains significant uncertainty about its exact track.
However, localised rains and thunderstorms may still occur over southern Mindanao due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and over northern Luzon driven by the northeast monsoon or amihan, the weather bureau Pagasa stated Tuesday.
Pagasa indicated that rains could begin impacting the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao by Friday and persist through the weekend, with the system expected to move across the Visayas after initial landfall.
Earlier report:
Low-pressure area
As of 5 am on Tuesday, December 2, the LPA was located approximately 1,280 km east of Eastern Visayas.
Meanwhile, Pagasa warns that one to two tropical cyclones may still develop or enter the PAR this December.
Weather specialist Leanne Loreto noted that historically, tropical cyclones forming in December tend to be “landfalling,” i.e. passing directly over land, usually affecting Visayas, southern Luzon, and northern and eastern Mindanao with strong winds and heavy rains.
