Satellite image from Himawari IR1 via Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — No tropical cyclones are expected to affect the country over the weekend despite the presence of cloud bands and shallow low pressure areas (LPA), state meteorologists said on Friday.
In its weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned the public that rains may still persist due to the cloud bands, and the weather systems in play like the tail end of a frontal system and the northeast monsoon or amihan.
Cloud clusters were observed on the eastern side of the country, beneath the tail end of a frontal system. Clouds were also seen north of Northern Luzon, but these are associated with the northeast monsoon.
According to Pagasa, a high pressure area far east of the country is to blame for the recent LPAs entering the country, and also as to why the northeast monsoon still has no widespread effect over Luzon despite its prevalence and early entrance.
“Medyo maaga itong ating mga paglamig dahil pa rin sa maagang pagpasok ng ating amihan. Ngunit kaya hindi siya direktang nakaka-apekto dito sa may Metro Manila down to the southern Luzon area ay dahil sa existence ng isang malaking high pressure area far east of the Philippines,” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.
(The gradual decrease in temperature came earlier because of the early advance of the northeast monsoon. But the reason why it does not directly affect Metro Manila and down to areas in Southern Luzon is because of a huge high pressure area far east of the Philippines.)
“Ito ‘yong nagiging hadlang upang tuluyang pumasok ‘yong malamig na hangin. Ito rin ‘yong dahilan kung bakit tayo nagkakaroon ng mga low pressure area dito sa may silangan ng ating bansa,” he added.
(This is the reason why the effects of the northeast monsoon, the cold winds, cannot have a widespread effect. This is also the reason why we have low pressure areas in the eastern part of the country.)
Temperatures would be lower for Saturday due to the cloudy weather, with Metro Manila feeling something around 24 to 30 degrees Celsius, 25 to 30 degrees for Legazpi.
Northern Luzon would remain cold due to the monsoon and the frontal system, as Tuguegarao’s temperature would hover within 22 to 28 degrees Celsius, 24 to 29 degrees for Laoag, and 15 to 25 degrees for Baguio City.
Visayas and Mindanao would see a fair weather and clear skies, as Tacloban, Cebu, and Iloilo can expect temperatures between 24 to 31 degrees Celsius, 25 to 33 degrees in Davao, and 23 to 33 degrees in Zamboanga.
Gale warnings are still in place over Luzon, from the whole eastern and northern seaboards to the western coastlines of Ilocos Region to Bataan in Central Luzon. Small boats are not allowed to operate in these areas as waves may reach heights of 3.1 meters to 6.0 meters.