Pagasa: ITCZ, northeasterlies may bring rain over Mindanao, extreme N. Luzon

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MANILA, Philippines – Residents in most parts of Mindanao and extreme northern Luzon may experience rainshower due to the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) down south and the prevailing northeasterly wind pattern near the Batanes group of islands.

According to the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the warm weather for the rest of the country would be brought by the easterlies, or the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean.

“Meron tayong tatlong weather systems na nakaka-apekto sa ating bansa: una ‘yong tinatawag natin na northeasterly surface windflow na nakaka-apekto dyan po sa may extreme northern Luzon, samantala nandyan pa rin ‘yong tinatawag nating easterlies na nakaka-apekto naman sa eastern part ng ating bansa,” weather specialist Samuel Duran said.

“Meron din po tayong tinatawag na inter-tropical convergence zone na nagdudulot ng mga kaulapan dyan sa may southern Mindanao, so kapag meron po tayong ITCZ, possible po ‘yan na nagkakaroon ng mga vortices, mga shallow na low pressure area na makikita natin consistent na nagkakaroon ng mga pag-ulan,” he added.

(We have three weather systems that are affecting our country: First is the northeasterly surface windflow affecting the extreme northern Luzon, while the easterlies are also affecting the eastern part of the country. We also have what we all ITCZ, it is possible that it can form vortices, those shallow low pressure area that we see when there is a chance of rain.)

Meanwhile, the heat index in several parts of the country again breached the 40 degree Celsius mark, like in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (50 degrees), Sangley Point in Cavite (44 degrees), and 43 degrees each in Tanauan, Batangas, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, and in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Temperatures around Luzon are expected to peak at 32 to 36 degrees Celsius, with Metro Manila’s temperature ranging from 24 to 34 degrees Celsius.  However, rains and thunderstorms are still possible as the accumulated heat can generate clouds that bring rain showers.

Visayas and Mindanao would have a hot and humid weather, although areas within Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga, and South Cotabato will see cloudy skies and rains due to the ITCZ.

No gale warning has been raised as of now, which means that seafarers and fisherfolk with small boats may set sail.  Sea condition in Luzon’s western, northern, and the entire eastern seaboard will be moderate, while the rest of the country’s seas would have a slight to moderate condition.

JPV