Pagasa sees weak southwest monsoon; ‘intense’ rain still likely in Visayas, Mindanao

Weather Satellite Image from Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — While the weak episode of the southwest monsoon or habagat would only affect the northwestern portion of Luzon, state meteorologists warned on Wednesday that strong thunderstorms may still be experienced in Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Weather updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Wednesday afternoon showed that only thin clouds were seen over the West Philippine Sea, which means most parts of the country can expect generally fair weather in the next 24 hours.

However, cloud clusters down south may still cause heavy rains with thunder or lightning from Wednesday night to early Thursday morning.

“Sa kasalukuyan po ay mahinang hanging habagat or southwest monsoon ang nakaka-apekto sa hilagang bahagi ng Luzon.  Ngayong hapon at mamayang gabi may ilang lugar sa ating bansa na posibleng makaranas ng thunderstorm na hindi rin magtatagal,” weather specialist Ariel Rojas said.

(For now, the southwest monsoon or habagat remains weak and only affects the northern part of Luzon. For this afternoon and tonight, some areas may still experience thunderstorm activities which would not last long.)

“Ang atin pong paalala, bagama’t dito sa northern part ng bansa ang naapektuhan ng southwest monsoon, posible pa rin magkaroon ng intense o malalakas na thunderstorms ngayong gabi sa may Visayas at sa Mindanao,” he added.

(Our reminder is that even if the southwest monsoon only affects the northern part of the country, it is still possible to experience intense or heavy thunderstorms over Visayas and Mindanao.)

The weak southwest monsoon is also expected to continue until Friday, but Pagasa said that huge parts of the country’s western portion would be covered in clouds by the weekend.

Despite the possible rain, no tropical cyclones are expected to form near or enter the Philippine area of responsibility.

For Thursday, temperatures may rise again as the monsoon only affects a small area. Metro Manila’s climate was anticipated to hit 27 to 34 degrees Celsius; Legazpi, 26 to 34 degrees Celsius; Laoag, 25 to 33 degrees Celsius; Puerto Princesa, 26 to 32 degrees Celsius; and Tuguegarao, 25 to 37 degrees Celsius.

The same warm weather would prevail in Visayas and Mindanao with Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro expected to feel temperatures ranging from 25 to 34 degrees Celsius; Tacloban and Davao, 26 to 32 degrees Celsius; Cebu, 26 to 33 degrees Celsius; and Zamboanga, 24 to 33 degrees Celsius.

No gale warning has been raised as of now but sea condition over the northernmost waters of Luzon would be moderate to rough, according to Pagasa, while it would be moderate for waters in Luzon’s eastern and western sides as well as in Western Visayas.

The rest of the country’s seaboards, Pagasa added, would have slight to moderate conditions.

KGA