LPA evaporates, but Amihan, easterlies to cause cloudy skies over PH

MANILA, Philippines — Most areas in the country may experience cloudy skies with occasional rain showers over the weekend due to the combined effects of the northeast monsoon or amihan and the easterlies, state meteorologists said.

Weather reports by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday afternoon showed that thick clouds would cover a huge part of the country in the coming hours and on Saturday.

This, despite the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon dissipating on Friday morning.

“May mga makakapal na kaulapan pa rin dito sa silangang bahagi ng ating bansa, na epekto pa rin ‘yan ng tinatawag nating easterlies. Samantala patuloy pa ring nakaka-apekto itong ating northeast monsoon o amihan dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon,” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.

(There are thick clouds over the country’s eastern side, which are caused by the easterlies. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or amihan still affects a huge part of Luzon.)

“Kaya sa buong araw ay inaasahan pa rin natin ang maulap na papawirin na may kasamang may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan, pagkidlat, pagkulog dito sa Metro Manila, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, at Davao Region,” he added.

(That’s why for the whole day we are expecting cloudy skies with isolated rains, thunderstorms in Metro Manila, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region.)

Pagasa also revealed that the formation of tropical cyclones is becoming less likely with the prevalence of Amihan, as cold winds are a deterrent to storms and typhoons which need warm, moist wind to generate power.

No storms are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the next three to five days.

Temperatures in Tuguegarao would remain low at just 21 to 30 degrees Celsius and 23 to 31 degrees for Laoag — two areas in Luzon which may experience rains. Metro Manila may register something between 24 to 31 degrees, Legazpi with 26 to 31 degrees, and Palawan at 25 to 32 degrees.

In the Visayas and Mindanao, cities of Cebu, Tacloban, and Davao will feel temperatures of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius, while Zamboanga will be a bit warmer with 24 to 34 degrees.

Gale warnings are still raised now, but it only covers the Northern Luzon waters, specifically in provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Cagayan.[ac]