..MANILA, Philippines --- A low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon will possibly intensify into a tropical cyclone this Friday, state weathermen said on Wednesday.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Division assistant chief Rene Paciente said that based on its satellite model, the LPA, spotted 1,030 kilometers east of Central Luzon, will possibly become a tropical depression by Friday evening.
"This may intensify into a cyclone, but there is a possibility that the LPA could also maintain its LPA status," Paciente said.
"But once this develops into a cyclone, we will name it 'Ferdie.' It is also likely that it will not make landfall, but will only move near the extreme Northern Luzon area. This is just an LPA for now and its track and movement are not yet definite," he said.
As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, the LPA was estimated, based on satellite and surface data, at 1,030 kilometers east of Central Luzon.
Paciente said the LPA is hovering over the Pacific Ocean and may still gather strength, but has no direct effect to the country as of the moment.
PAGASA said Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, becoming cloudy with widespread rains over the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao this Thursday.
It warned residents in these areas that the rains may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. (With a report from Marvyn Benaning)
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