Easterlies bring light to moderate rains over Visayas, Northern Mindanao — Pagasa

Pagasa says light to moderate rain showers and at times heavy rains in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao. Satellite image from Himawari IR1 via Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Parts of Visayas and Northern Mindanao may experience light to moderate rain showers, and at times heavy rains due to cloud bands brought by the easterlies, state meteorologists said on Thursday afternoon.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), these rains may persist from Thursday night to Friday. They may cause flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides for those near mountain slopes.

Meanwhile, most of Luzon, especially Southern Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, and Bicol Region, will see cloudy skies and light to moderate rains caused by the northeast monsoon or Amihan.

Pagasa said that these areas would also experience colder weather by early morning and even lower daytime temperatures.

Despite the rains, Pagasa assured that no low-pressure areas or tropical cyclones are expected until the month ends on Sunday.

The remaining parts of Luzon would also have partly cloudy skies and isolated rains.

For Friday, temperatures in Luzon would remain low, ranging from 24 to 29 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, 21 to 27 degrees in Tuguegarao, 22 to 32 degrees in Laoag, 14 to 23 degrees in Baguio, and 24 to 30 degrees in Legazpi.

Due to the rains in Visayas and Mindanao, low temperatures can also be expected in Tacloban with 23 to 29 degrees Celsius, Iloilo with 25 to 29 degrees, and Cebu with 24 to 30 degrees.  Davao would be warmer at 24 to 32 degrees, Zamboanga at 23 to 32 degrees, and Cagayan de Oro at 22 to 30 degrees.

A gale warning has been raised over the seaboards of Ilocos Region, extreme Northern Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and the eastern waters of Quezon province, including Polillo Islands as the northeast monsoon makes another surge.

Pagasa said that waves may reach heights of 2.8 meters to 5.5 meters, which means fisherfolk in these areas are not allowed to set sail temporarily.

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