Satellite image of a low pressure area that formed from a cloud cluster outside the Philippine area of responsibility. Photo courtesy of PAGASA 

MANILA — A low pressure area formed outside the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday, May 22, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

The LPA formed from a cloud cluster 1,255 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao, according to PAGASA.

The weather disturbance could enter the Philippine area on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, said weather forecaster Loriedin Galicia.

It could affect and hit land over the Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas area by late Friday or on Saturday as an LPA, she added.

The LPA is "less likely" to develop into a storm or tropical depression but is not ruled out, said PAGASA. 

But if the weather disturbance becomes a tropical depression and enters the Philippine area, it will be the country's first storm for 2024.

It will be assigned the local name "Aghon" — the Hiligaynon word for mariner's compass.

RAIN FORECAST

The trough or extension of the LPA will start bringing scattered rains over the eastern sections of Visayas and southern Luzon on Friday ahead of its close approach or landfall in the same areas by late Friday or Saturday morning.

Rainy conditions are expected in the said areas by the weekend, which may trigger flash flooding and landslides. 

There is a possibility of development into a tropical depression once the system is over the waters of eastern Luzon on Sunday or Monday. 

If the ridge of a high-pressure area that blocks the system weakens, the LPA may recurve offshore and intensify into a tropical depression before the weekend.

PAGASA earlier said that  at least 1 storm could still form and enter the Philippine area this May.

The nation is transitioning from the dry season to the rainy season — which usually begins every June — as parts of the country experience more frequent rain showers and thunderstorms.

For more weather updates, visit the ABS-CBN weather page.