RAMB/US NOAA/Himawari 8

MANILA — The low pressure area east of the country entered the Philippine area of responsibility early Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

The LPA may form into the year’s first storm on Saturday or Sunday and will be called Auring, weather forecaster Benison Estareja said.

The potential tropical cyclone may move close to Eastern Visayas and Bicol this weekend and also enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.

The LPA was spotted 945 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas at 3 a.m.

Scattered rains will drench central and southern Philippines on Friday due to the following.

• Habagat over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, and Soccsksargen

• Trough or extension of the LPA over Bicol and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.

Flooding and landslides are possible during moderate to heavy downpour.

The public is advised to continue monitoring updates on the potential storm as the forecast could still change.