The latest storm and low pressure information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the Visayas region on the afternoon of December 20 said that there are currently no low pressure areas being monitored within or near the Philippine Forecast Area (PAR).
PAGASA Visayas weather forecaster Mark Gales stressed that current weather conditions in the Philippines are being dominated by other weather systems.
We are not currently monitoring any low pressure areas. However, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting Mindanao and part of Palawan. That is why these areas are raining, Gales explained.
The Philippine weather forecaster added that the Visayas is under the influence of winter winds - warm winds from the Pacific Ocean - leading to scattered rain.
So far, no low pressure areas have been monitored within or near the Philippine forecast area, Mr. Gales reiterated.
Although no low pressure has been recorded, PAGASA is still closely monitoring weather developments, especially according to the forecast of the possibility of a low pressure forming next week.
A cloud cluster is forecast to strengthen into a low pressure area in the coming days east of Mindanao or the Visayas.
However, Mr. Gales emphasized that even if a low pressure system forms, the possibility of this system strengthening into a tropical storm is low.
He further explained that the potential low pressure could be within the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), which is a common form of low pressure and tropical storms.
"The tropical convergence zone is known as the place for the formation of low pressure areas and tropical storms, which is why we continue to closely monitor this area," he said.
