Rainy New Year for some provinces in Bicol, Luzon

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Moderate to heavy rains are forecast over some provinces in the Bicol region and Luzon on the first day of 2025 as the northeast monsoon (amihan), shear line and intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) continue to affect the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“The intertropical convergence zone will bring cloudy skies and a high chance of rain over Visayas, Mindanao, Palawan and a large part of the Bicol region,” weather specialist Obet Badrina said on Tuesday.

READ: Moderate to heavy rains forecast across PH from Dec. 30 to 31

The shear line, or the area where cold and hot air meet, will also cause rains and cloudy skies over northern Luzon, while the northeast monsoon will bring light rains over areas in extreme northern Luzon, such as Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

“Generally fair weather,” on the other hand, is expected in the rest of the country, including Metro Manila as well as parts of Luzon, said Badrina, although he added that isolated rain showers and thunderstorms may also occur.

According to Pagasa’s 11 a.m. Tuesday outlook, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected from Wednesday until Thursday afternoon over the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Dinagat Islands.

The same amount of rainfall was forecast over Cagayan, Apayao, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon and Camarines Norte from Thursday to Friday afternoon.

Pagasa reiterated that rainfall “may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas” and it could cause localized flooding and landslides in affected provinces.