Residents of Metro Cebu and the province are advised to bring their umbrellas and raincoats since light to moderate rainfall is expected today and tomorrow.
Alfredo Quiblat Jr., Mactan chief of the state weather bureau Pagasa, said the rain is caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
“The low pressure area (LPA) is expected to turn into a tropical depression on Saturday,” Quiblat said.
The LPA is projected to intensify the southwest monsoon, which can bring more rains in Cebu and cause weather phenomena like waterspout or whirlwinds.
Quiblat advised the public to stay indoors. Everyone is advised to stay near buildings or houses when lightning and thunder are experienced.
The LPA is expected to enter the country early Saturday morning near Eastern Visayas.
“Yes, there is less chance the LPA will hit Cebu, but it can make landfall in any part of the Philippines,” Quiblat said.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the LPA was at 575 kilometers east of Guian, Eastern Samar.
If it becomes a tropical depression, it will be named “Carina” in the Philippines and will be the third typhoon to enter the country after “Ambo” and “Butchoy.”
Quiblat said the amount of rainfall for July already exceeded the projected average amount for the month.
As of 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Pagasa Mactan recorded more than 300 millimeters of rainfall.
The average amount is 202 millimeters of rain for July.
Quiblat said this is not yet the start of the La Nina phenomenon.
“La Niña is projected by the end of 2016,” he said.