MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon or amihan is still among the weather systems monitored within the country, but its effects will only be felt over extreme Northern Luzon for now, state meteorologists said on Thursday.
Rains due to the northeast monsoon and the shear line would be concentrated over Batanes and the eastern part of Northern and Central Luzon — or Cagayan Valley and Aurora, according to the forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration for Friday, January 3.
Moderate to heavy rains, possibly reaching 50 mm to 100 mm, may fall over Cagayan and Isabela.
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“Our northeast monsoon or amihan affects only the extreme Northern Luzon for now, and we can expect cloudy skies with rains over Batanes due to the amihan,” weather specialist Veronica Torres said in Filipino.
“Meanwhile, the shear line still affects the remaining areas in Northern Luzon and eastern parts of Central Luzon,” she added.
Rains are still seen to persist because of the easterlies or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, but this will only affect easternmost provinces like those in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.
Meanwhile, the remaining parts of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with chances of rain showers.
“Easterlies or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean bring cloudy skies and scattered rain showers, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes over Eastern Visayas, Quezon, and the Bicol Region,” Torres said.
“For the weather in Metro Manila and the remaining parts of the country, we can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies including occasional rain showers, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes. Those who have experienced rains in the past few days should take extra precautions against the threat of flash floods and landslides,” she added.
Despite the high possibility of rains, Pagasa has not monitored any low pressure area or tropical cyclone that may enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the coming days.
Colder temperatures are still expected over Luzon with the following ranges:
- Tuguegarao City: 22 to 28°C
- Laoag City: 24 to 31°C
- Baguio City: 16 to 23°C
- Metro Manila: 25 to 30°C
- Legazpi City: 25 to 30°C
- Tagaytay City: 22 to 28°C
- Puerto Princesa City: 25 to 31°C
The Visayas would see cold temperatures also with the following ranges:
- Tacloban City: 24 to 30°C
- Iloilo City: 24 to 30°C
It would be warmer though in Cebu and Mindanao, with temperatures in the following ranges:
- Cebu City: 25 to 31°C
- Zamboanga City: 24 to 33°C
- Davao City: 24 to 32°C
- Cagayan de Oro City: 24 to 31°C
As of now, no gale warning has been raised over any of the country’s seaboards, indicating that it is safe for fisherfolk and small boat operators to sail.