MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted Friday gale warnings over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to the strong northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan.
The state weather bureau also said that the northeast monsoon, or the cold wind blowing from Siberia and China, will cause cloudy skies and rain in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
“Dahil po sa paglakas ng amihan or northeast monsoon, ay mayroon tayong gale warning sa mas maraming lugar sa Luzon, and even Visayas,” said Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estreja.
(Because of the strong amihan or northeast monsoon, we have raised a gale warning over more parts of Luzon, and even Visayas).
According to Pagasa, gale warnings were raised over the coasts of the following areas:
- Batanes
- Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- Aurora
- La Union
- Pangasinan
- Zambales
- Quezon, including Polillo Islands
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Masbate, including Burias Island
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Romblon, Marinduque
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Capiz
- Antique
- Aklan
- Batangas
- Oriental Mindoro
- Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Island
- Palawan, including Calamian
- Cuyo
- Kalayaan Islands
Estreja said strong waves as high as to 5.5 meters are anticipated over the seaboards of these areas which pose danger to small sea vessels and fisherfolks. Suspension of sea travel is likewise possible under this conditions, he added.
“Delikado ang pag-alon na ito lalo na sa maliit na sasakyan pandagat at sa ating kababayan na nangingisda, so mayroon din tayong tsansa ng sea travel suspensions. Asahan natin sa susunod na araw, dahil sa bugso ng amihan, hanggang sa Pasko po [ay] makakaranas pa rin ng matataas na pag-aalon ang mga baybayin ng Luzon, Visayas, and even yung eastern section ng Mindanao”, added Estreja.
(These waves are dangerous, especially for those with small sea crafts and our Filipino fisherfolk, so there is also a chance of sea travel suspension. We can expect that in the following days, due to a northeast monsoon surge, until Christmas Day, the coasts of Luzon, Visayas and even the eastern section of Mindanao will still see high waves.)
Weather satellite image from Pagasa’s website
Meanwhile, a low pressure area (LPA) will affect Visayas, Palawan, and the rest of Bicol Region, Pagasa noted. Overcast skies and heavy rain may be expected in these areas, thus, the state weather service advised residents of possible flash floods and landslides.
Estreja, however, said that the LPA will likely dissipate within the next two to three days.
On the forecast temperatures for Friday, Pagasa released the following:
- Metro Manila: 23 to 30 degrees Celsius
- Baguio City: 13 to 23 degrees Celsius
- Laoag City: 21 to 30 degrees Celsius
- Tuguegarao: 19 to 27 degrees Celsius
- Legazpi City: 23 to 29 degrees Celsius
- Puerto Princesa City: 24 to 29 degrees Celsius
- Tagaytay: 19 to 28 degrees Celsius
- Kalayaan Islands: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius
- Iloilo City: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius
- Cebu: 25 to 29 degrees Celsius
- Tacloban City: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius
- Davao: 25 to 33 degrees Celsius
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