MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon or “amihan” season may end this week and usher in warmer days, the state weather bureau said on Monday.
“Sa nakalipas na taon, normally natatapos ang amihan bandang mid-March, at dahil papunta na tayo sa gitna ng Marso, possibleng ito na ang huling linggo ng northeast monsoon o amihan,” said Obet Badrina, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)weather specialist.
(In the past years, the amihan season normally ends around mid-March, and because we are approaching the middle of March, it is possible that this is the last week of northeast monsoon.)
The “amihan” will continue to bring overcast skies and rain on Monday to Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Aurora and northern Quezon, according to Pagasa weather advisory.
Pagasa likewise raised gale warnings over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and northern coast of Cagayan.
The said areas expected to have rough to very rough seas with 2.8 to 4.5 meter-high waves.
Looming LPA
A low pressure area will also cause cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to Caraga and Davao regions, said Pagasa.
As of 3:00 a.m. Monday, the LPA was estimated to besome 630 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
“Base po sa ating pinakahuling datos, itong lugar kung nasaan ang low pressure area na ito, medyo maliit pa ang tiyansa na maging bagyo dahil hindi ganoon kainam ang lugar kung nasaan ang LPA natin,” Badrina said.
(Based on our latest data, the LPA has a minimal chance of intensifying because of its location.)
Fair weather
Meanwhile, fair weather is expected in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers are also possible, Pagasa added.