Pagasa: Storm unlikely until end of June; ITCZ to prevail in some regions
MANILA, Philippines — No weather disturbances or storms may be expected to influence the country’s climate until the end of June, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday.
According to its 5 p.m. Friday forecast, no low-pressure area was seen nearby, reducing the chances of any storm entering the Philippine area of responsibility.
But Pagasa said southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao may experience cloudy skies and rains due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).
“Maraming kaulapan dito sa may Southern Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao, dahil pa rin ‘yan sa patuloy na epekto ng [ITCZ],” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.
(A lot of cloud bands have been spotted in Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, due to the prevailing effects of the ITCZ.)
“At isang magandang balita, wala pa tayong mino-monitor na anumang sama ng panahon or low pressure area na posibleng maging bagyo o pumasok ng ating area of responsibility sa susunod na tatlo hanggang limang araw,” he added.
(And for some good news, we have not monitored any weather disturbance or low-pressure area that may be a storm or enter our area of responsibility in the next three to five days.)
Warm temperatures, however, can still be expected over Metro Manila, Olongapo, and Laoag, according to the state weather bureau. Heat ranging from 25 to 34 degrees Celsius may be experienced in these areas on Saturday, even as overcast skies and occasional rains may also occur in some Luzon areas due to localized thunderstorms.
Cloudy skies will also prevail in the Visayas due to the ITCZ, bringing slightly lower temperatures in Iloilo at 24 to 30 degrees Celsius, Cebu at 25 to 31 degrees Celsius, and Tacloban at 24 to 31 degrees Celsius. In Mindanao, Davao may experience temperatures of 24 to 32 degrees Celsius and Cagayan de Oro, 23 to 31 degrees Celsius.
Pagasa did not raise any gale warnings, and so small boat operators can set sail in any part of the country. However, Pagasa warned that sea conditions may vary from slight to moderate especially when thunderstorms occur in a particular area like in Mindanao.
