ITCZ to bring rains in Southern Mindanao; hot weather for rest of PH

MANILA, Philippines — The southern parts of Mindanao may experience rains due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) while a huge part of the country will have hot and humid weather, the state weather bureau said.

The latest weather forecasts from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Thursday afternoon showed that cloud bands along the ITCZ moving from the country’s southern seas to a northwestward pattern.

Pagasa reminded residents of Davao Region, Soccsksargen, the Bangsamoro area, and the Zamboanga Peninsula to monitor updates on weather systems.

“Pinapayuhan natin sila na ito ay magdudulot ng maaaring matitinding thunderstorms na magkakaroon ng hazards like lightning strikes at itong matitinding pag-ulan,” weather specialist Joey Figuracion said.

(We are advising them that the ITCZ may bring intense thunderstorms which may bring hazards like lightning strikes and heavy rainfall.)

“Samantala, sa nalalabing bahagi ng ating bansa, relatively, magiging generally fair weather ang ating panahon maliban lang sa mga pulo-pulong pag-ulan dulot ng mga localized thunderstorms,” he added.

(Meanwhile, for the rest of the country, we would have generally fair weather except for isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.)

Temperatures in Metro Manila and Laoag are expected to play around 26 to 33 degrees Celsius, and 23 to 32 degrees in Tagaytay and Lipa City.  In the Visayas, it varies from 26 to 34 degrees in Bacolod City, 25 to 32 degrees in Cebu, and 25 to 33 degrees in Tacloban.

Cloudy skies will prevail in Davao for Friday, slightly lowering temperatures to 25 to 32 degrees Celsius, 24 to 32 degrees in Cagayan de Oro, and 24 to 31 degrees in Zamboanga.

No gale warning has been raised anywhere in the country, which means that fisherfolk and boat transfer operators using small boats can set sail.  Sea conditions around the country will also be slight to moderate, except in Visayas and Mindanao seas where it may vary depending on the presence of thunderstorms. [ac]