Expect rainy weather on New Year’s Eve, says Pagasa

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MANILA, Philippines—The country can expect rainy weather on the eve of the New Year’s celebration, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its Special Weather Outlook report released Wednesday.

The northeast monsoon, which is bringing cold air from up north in Siberia and China into the country, is likely to bring rains to the eastern parts of the entire country, weather forecaster Sonny Pajarilla said in a phone interview.

However, rains are not expected over the next two days, Pajarilla said.

“We will see the rains around December 31 up to January 3 next year, with heavier rains on January 2,” Pajarilla said.

The relief efforts in Mindanao are not likely to be interrupted by bad weather over the next two days as well.

The northeast monsoon is expected to bring strong winds that would generate big waves and rough seas. Fishermen throughout the country were advised to exercise extra caution, the advisory said.

A low-pressure area could develop outside of the country towards the east as the year ends, Pajarilla said.

The northeastern monsoon would bring strong cold winds into the country from the north, where it is already winter, up to the end of February next year, Pajarilla said. Visayas and Mindanao will receive warm, humid air from the Pacific brought by the northeast monsoon, he added.