MANILA — In the early morning hours of December 20, 2023, the weather state bureau Pagsa issued an advisory, revealing the presence of a Low-Pressure  Area (LPA) approximately 185 km South of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

This LPA prompted weather disturbances across various regions in the Philippines.

Low-pressure areas are places where the atmosphere is relatively thin. Winds blow inward toward these areas. This causes air to rise, producing clouds and condensation. Low-pressure areas tend to be well-organized storms.

The Northeast Monsoon was identified as a significant factor affecting Northern and Central Luzon, while an impactful Shear Line was observed in the eastern section of Southern Luzon.

Forecast Weather Conditions:

Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Western Visayas, MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and Aurora: Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, attributed to the Trough of LPA and Shear Line. The forecast warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region: Cloudy skies with rains were expected, driven by the Northeast Monsoon, with potential risks of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon: Anticipated partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains, influenced by the Northeast Monsoon, with no significant impact projected.

The rest of the country: Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms were predicted, with the possibility of flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms caused by localized thunderstorms.

Forecast Wind and Coastal Water Conditions:

Extreme Northern Luzon: Strong winds from the Northeast were forecasted, leading to rough coastal waters ranging from 2.8 to 4.5 meters.

Visayas, the rest of Luzon, and the eastern section of Mindanao: Moderate to strong winds coming from the East to Northeast were expected, resulting in moderate to rough coastal waters ranging from 1.2 to 3.0 meters.

The rest of Mindanao: Light to moderate winds from the East to Southeast were anticipated, resulting in slight to moderate coastal waters ranging from 0.6 to 2.5 meters.

As the nation braced for these weather conditions, the advisory aimed to keep communities informed and prepared for potential challenges arising from the dynamic atmospheric conditions.

(JRAMIGO/IA/MNM)