Rains affecting Metro Manila, southern parts of PH to continue

MANILA, Philippines – Cloud bands brought by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) are expected to persist into the weekend, bringing rains over Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.

The latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday said that cloudy skies would prevail in these areas for most of Saturday, similar to what happened earlier when rains were experienced even in the morning.

However, northern parts of Luzon would experience generally fair weather as a high-pressure area over the country’s eastern seas prevents clouds from forming.

“Inaahan pa rin ang patuloy na maulap na papawirin dito sa Metro Manila, Bicol Region, at Mimaropa area.  Dito naman sa Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Cordillera, at Cagayan Valley ay inaasahan natin ang maaliwalas na panahon maliban lamang sa mga pulo-pulong pag-ulan at pagkidlat na magiging mas madalas pagdating hapon at gabi,” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.

(We are expecting cloudy skies to persist in Metro Manila, Bicol Region, and the Mimaropa area.  But here in Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Cordillera, and the Cagayan Valley, we are expecting fair weather except for occasional rains and thunderstorms which may be more frequent by afternoon and night.)

“Ibig sabihin sa may Southern Luzon area down to the Visayas area ay inaasahan natin ang malaking tsansa ng pag-ulan lalo na pagdating ng hapon o gabi,” he added.

(This means that areas in Southern Luzon down to the Visayas area may experience a high chance of rains during the afternoon and by nighttime.)

Temperatures in Metro Manila are seen to be slightly lower, ranging from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius, similar to Tagaytay and Lipa, with 23 to 30 degrees and 26 to 30 degrees, respectively.

In the Visayas which will also be cloudy, temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius may be felt in Iloilo, Cebu, and Tacloban.  But temperature forecasts in Mindanao may be slightly higher, at 25 to 34 degrees.

No gale warning has been raised as of now, as sea conditions remain to be calm.  This means that sea transport operators and fisherfolk can set sail in any part of the country.