Pagasa weather satellite image
MANILA, Philippines — Most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, may no longer see moderate to heavy monsoon rains this weekend, as the chance of strong precipitation in the region decreased, the state weather bureau said Friday.
However, state meteorologists said overcast skies may still be a constant scene in the coming days since cloud bands brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat still float over a vast part of the country.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) bulletin on Friday afternoon, the southwest monsoon’s effects are seen concentrated on the western part of the country, sparing other areas of Luzon which received daily moderate to heavy rains in the last two weeks.
For this, weather specialist Ana Clauren said: “Dala pa rin po nito ‘yong paminsanang mahihina hanggang sa katamtaman, na kung minsan ay malakas na pag-ulan sa Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, at sa Occidental Mindoro, kaya doble ingat pa rin po sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga nakatira sa low-lying areas.”
(The southwest monsoon still brings occasional light to moderate, and at times heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, which is why we are advising residents in the areas especially those living in low-lying areas to remain alert.)
“Dito sa Metro Manila at sa nalalabing bahagi pa ng Luzon, bagamat bawas na po ‘yong malakas na mga pag-ulan na ating inaashan, ay generally magiging makulimlim pa rin or maulap pa rin ‘yong ating panahon ngayong gabi, at may kalat-kalat pa rin na mga pag-ulan,” she added.
(Here in Metro Manila and the remaining parts of Luzon, although we are no longer expecting strong rains to occur, we will still generally have gloomy weather, or cloudy skies tonight, while scattered rains may still happen.)
Pagasa also assured that no tropical cyclone is expected to enter or form within the Philippine area of responsibility in the coming two to three days.
For Saturday, occasional rains are still expected over the western side of Luzon, leading to slightly lower than usual temperatures for Laoag at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, Baguio with 17 to 20 degrees Celsius, and Tagaytay with 21 to 27 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, Metro Manila’s temperatures would slightly increase at 25 to 31 degrees Celsius, while Tuguegarao and Legazpi would have it at 25 to 34 degrees Celsius and 27 to 33 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The weekend will be warm and humid in Visayas and Mindanao even if isolated thunderstorms and rain showers may still occur in these regions by afternoon and night. Tacloban will have temperatures of 27 to 34 degrees Celsius, Iloilo and Cebu with 26 to 33 degrees , Zamboanga with 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, Cagayan de Oro with 24 to 34 degrees Celsius, and Davao with 26 to 33 degrees Celsius.
Pagasa also reminded seafarers that a gale warning remains raised over the entire northern and western seaboards of Luzon, including waters surrounding waters of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.
This means fisherfolk and other operators using small boats are not allowed to set sail in these areas.