Engr. Al Quiblat, chief of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas, told SunStar Cebu that the LPA is drawing near toward the portion of Surigao or at least 130 kilometers.
“Naa gihapon ni siya, hinay gihapon iyang lihok. Padayon gihapon atong gi-expect nga ulan-ulan gihapon ug dag-om hantod sa Sabado,” said Quiblat.
(The LPA is moving slowly, so the rains will continue until Saturday, January 14, 2023.)
He said there may still be light to moderate and occasional heavy rains or scattered rain showers until Saturday, January 14, when the seaborne procession will be conducted at the Mactan Channel.
The weather bureau said this means that several areas in Visayas, including Cebu, will experience rainfall or have high chances of rainfall.
The weather condition on Saturday may still be favorable for the seaborne procession, adding that there will be a wind speed of about 10 to 30 kilometers per hour, meaning a slight to moderate condition is expected with 0.6 to 1.3 meters high wave at open sea.
“Pero og maghisgot ta diha dapit sa Mactan Channel, that is below one meter ang gitas-on. So favorable rana sa fluvial unya sa Sabado. Pero ang ulan, dili favorable kay nag-expect man tag naay mga pag-ulan,” he added.
But if they are to compare the rainfall in the past days, Quiblat said there will be less rainfall on Saturday.
Quiblat said they could not yet tell as to when the LPA will stay or exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), adding that they are looking at two scenarios that may possibly occur.
One of which is that the LPA may cross to the east of Mindanao and Visayas, while the other is it will go to the east of Luzon.
But the weather bureau official stressed that it is expected to have a partly cloudy to cloudy or generally fair weather with less chance of rain with only 50 percent on Sunday.
“But if mo-cross gyud ni siya sa Mindanao ug sa Visayas, mas dili favorable ang condition sa Sunday but sa pagkakaron nga mopataas ni siya padung didto sa Luzon,” he said.
With this, Quiblat advised everyone to take precautionary measures by bringing umbrellas and water, wearing light and comfortable clothes, among others when attending the Traslacion on Friday, seaborne procession on Saturday, and One Cebu Island Sinulog on Sunday. (MKG)