Pagasa’s satellite images showed that only thin cloud bands hover the country, as the state weather bureau expects fair weather for the coming weekend. (Photo from DOST-Pagasa’s Himawari satellite)
MANILA, Philippines — Weather conditions for the first weekend of October would be generally fair as no tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the next three days — a break from the succeeding typhoons in September.
Satellite images from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) during their Friday afternoon update showed that only thin clouds are over the archipelago.
However, some areas may still be isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, especially in Southern Mindanao, due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).
“Base sa ating satellite imagery wala naman tayong binabantayang anumang sama ng panahon na nasa loob ng ating Philippine area of responsibility, gayundin naman wala tayong makikitang bagyo na maaaring mabuo o pumasok ng ating area of responsibility sa susunod na tatlong araw o sa weekend na papasok,” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.
(Based on our satellite imagery, we are not monitoring any weather disturbance inside the Philippine area of responsibility. Similarly, we have not seen any cyclone or possible tropical depression that would enter the country in the next three days or the coming weekend.)
“Ngayon intertropical convergence zone ang patuloy na nakaka-apekto dito sa Southern Mindanao […] inaasahan natin ang buong bansa kasama ng Metro Manila ay magkakaroon pa rin ng maaliwalas na panahon, maliban lamang sa isolated rain showers at thunderstorms,” he added.
(Now, only the intertropical convergence zone is affecting parts of Southern Mindanao […], but we expect the whole country, including Metro Manila, to still have fair weather, except for isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.)
The fair weather is a much-needed reprieve after the country faced four cyclones in September: Super Typhoon Henry, which hit the extreme northern part of Luzon during the first week; Typhoon Inday, which did not make landfall but enhanced the southwest monsoon; Super Typhoon Josie which slipped in and out of the country; and Super Typhoon Karding which wreaked havoc over the Southern and Central Luzon.
For Saturday, Metro Manila is expected to have temperatures between 24 to 31 degrees Celsius, Legazpi and Laoag with 24 to 32 degrees, Tuguegarao with 24 to 33 degrees, Tagaytay with 22 to 30 degrees, and Puerto Princesa with 26 to 32 degrees.
Similar fair conditions would be felt in Visayas and Mindanao, as Cebu and Iloilo would have temperatures of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius, Tacloban with 25 to 31 degrees, Zamboanga with 24 to 32 degrees, Cagayan de Oro with 24 to 31 degrees, and Davao with 24 to 33 degrees.
No gale warning has been raised, allowing small boat operators and fisherfolk to freely set sail over any part of the country’s waters.