The low-pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Cagayan is expected to move closer to the landmass of Northern Luzon within the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

As of 2:00 PM, the LPA was last located 165 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

PAGASA said the weather system has a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours and will be named “Bising” if it intensifies.

In a phone interview, Weather Specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda said the LPA is expected to bring rains over Northern Luzon as it continues moving toward the country.

“In the next 24 hours, we are seeing it move close to Extreme Northern Luzon, around Batanes and Babuyan Islands, although it is still not definite as we are seeing uncertain movement from the weather system,” Clauren-Jorda said.

She added that a high-pressure area is pushing the LPA, preventing it from moving northeast.

Earlier this week, the LPA was forecast to move in a northeast direction away from the country.

Several areas in Luzon are expected to experience moderate to at times intense rainfall from Thursday noon to Friday.

Heavy to intense rainfall — amounting to 100 to 200 millimeters — is expected in Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Moderate to at times heavy rains are forecast in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and the Calabarzon area.

In anticipation of the heavy rains, both Ambuklao and Binga Dams have opened their floodgates.

In Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, scattered rains are expected Thursday due to the continued enhancement of the southwest monsoon.

Clauren-Jorda added that two to three tropical cyclones are expected this July, most of which are likely to recur or make landfall over Central and Southern Luzon.