A low-pressure area (LPA) formed over the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The LPA, located 305 kilometers southwest of Kalayaan, Palawan, remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). While PAGASA assesses a medium chance of it developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, it’s not expected to enter the PAR.
However, the LPA’s trough or extension will still impact Palawan. This is significant given Palawan’s recent experience with record-breaking rainfall. Due to a shear line—the convergence zone of the northeast monsoon (Amihan) and warm easterlies—Palawan recorded its heaviest 24-hour rainfall.
Puerto Princesa City saw a staggering 352 millimeters of rain between 8 a.m. on February 9 and 8 a.m. on February 10. This is nearly twelve times the typical rainfall for February, Palawan’s driest month. The rainfall also surpasses the previous record of 317.6 mm set in Coron town on August 13, 1979.
This situation highlights the potential for extreme weather events, even from systems outside the PAR. The impact of the LPA’s trough on Palawan warrants close monitoring and preparedness measures. What are your thoughts on the potential impact of this weather system and the importance of preparedness in the face of such events?
