Habagat to prevail, western Luzon sees light to moderate rains — Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the exit of Typhoon Fabian, the southwest monsoon continues to be prevalent as it still brings clouds and light to moderate rain showers over the western part of Luzon, state meteorologists said on Monday afternoon.

Reports from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) showed thick clouds moving over Luzon, especially in the provinces located in Ilocos Region, towns in Bataan and Zambales which may be susceptible to floods and landslides from Monday night to Tuesday.

For the rest of Luzon, cloudy skies will still prevail but isolated rains and thunderstorm activity would only be short and scattered unlike in areas directly affected by the southwest monsoon or habagat.

According to Pagasa’s weather specialist Chris Perez, the habagat remains active due to weather systems outside the country, which continue to pull it toward the landmass.

“Dala po ‘yan ng impluwensya ng dalawang bagyo o sama ng panahon na nasa labas ng ating area of responsibility, unang-una ‘yong severe tropical storm na may international name na Infa, ‘yong dating Bagyong Fabian […] pangalawa ‘yong tropical storm na may international name na Nepartak,” Perez explained.

(This was due to the influence of two storms outside our area of responsibility, first, from severe tropical storm Infa, which used to be Typhoon Fabian […] and second, the tropical storm with the international name Nepartak.)

While none of these storms are seen to directly affect local weather — with Infa being 1,130 kilometers north of extreme northern Luzon and Nepartak at 2,935 kilometers northeast of the same area — they continue to pull the monsoon winds.

“‘Pag ganitong panahon, ‘yong mga ganitong lokasyon ng sama ng panahon, mga bagyo, ay very ideal talaga sa pagpapa-ibayo ng habagat kaya’t inaasahan nga natin na within the next 24 to 48 hours ay may mararanasan pa ring pag-ulan sa ilang bahagi ng ating bansa,” Perez noted.

(During these times, such a location for weather disturbances would be very ideal in intensifying the southwest monsoon, that is why we are still expecting rains in many parts of the country for the next 24 to 48 hours.)

For Tuesday, the western side remains affected by the southwest monsoon, leading to lower than usual temperatures of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius for Laoag, 17 to 19 degrees for Baguio City, 24 to 29 degrees for Metro Manila, and 26 to 30 degrees for Tagaytay.

Other areas in Luzon may see rains, but may also enjoy warm and humid conditions: Puerto Princesa with 24 to 33 degrees Celsius, Tuguegarao with 26 to 34 degrees, and Legazpi with 26 to 32 degrees.

Visayas and Mindanao on the other hand would have a warm and humid Tuesday, with Tacloban and Cebu possibly registering temperatures of 27 to 33 degrees Celsius, Iloilo with 26 to 33 degrees, Zamboanga with 25 to 33 degrees, Cagayan de Oro with 24 to 36 degrees, and Davao with 25 to 34 degrees.

Due to the habagat, a gale warning remains hoisted over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon, which indicates that sea travel for small boats may be dangerous in these areas.

JPV