Rains in Luzon, parts of Metro caused by localized thunderstorms, hot weather

MANILA, Philippines –  The rains that several provinces in Luzon and some areas in Metro Manila experienced were due to localized thunderstorms, which were caused by the hot weather throughout the day.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) clarified on Thursday that there are no low-pressure areas (LPAs) or storms inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) that may cause these rains.

“Ang malaking bahagi ng Luzon ay nakakaranas po ng panandaliang pag-ulan at pagkidlat, pagkulog na dulot ng localized thunderstorms.  Ito ay sa kadahilananang ‘yong init sa umaga hanggang sa hapon, naipon po ito at nagge-generate ng kaulapan at nagpapaulan later in the afternoon,” weather specialist Loriedin Dela Cruz said in Pagasa’s forecast.

(A large part of Luzon is experiencing partial rain showers, lightning, due to localized thunderstorms.  This is because the hot weather from morning to the afternoon, it will accumulate and generate clouds that would later bring rains in the afternoon.)

“Ang mga local thunderstorms na ito ay maaring tumagal mula lima hanggang sa tatlumpung minuto na kung minsan ay nag-eextend pa o tumatagal pa sa isang oras,” she added.

(These local thunderstorms may last from five to 30 minutes, while in some instances it may extend to at least an hour.)

Meanwhile, hot weather is still expected for Friday even as clouds will continue to surround Luzon’s landmass, with temperatures possibly surging to around 32 to 33 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, Laoag in Ilocos Sur, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Legazpi in Albay.

Daytime in Tuguegarao in Cagayan and Iloilo City in the Visayas remains hot, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 36 degrees Celsius and 27 to 36 degrees Celsius, respectively.

In Mindanao, temperatures may also peak to 33 to 34 degrees Celsius in Davao City, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro.  Still, cloudy skies and isolated rains may prevail.

No gale warning has been raised as of now, which means that fisherfolk with small boats may be allowed to set sail.  Sea condition on Luzon’s northern, eastern, and western seaboards will be moderate, while the rest of the country’s ports will experience a slight to moderate condition.