Expect heavy rains in northeastern Luzon provinces – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Several provinces in Northern Luzon, particularly those on the eastern side, may get heavy to intense rains on Saturday, January 4 due to the different weather systems, state meteorologists said on Friday.

The rains — which may reach or around 100 mm to 200 mm — could affect Cagayan, Isabela, and Batanes provinces, according to an afternoon forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains may fall in Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.

“So we can expect heavy to intense rains in Cagayan including Isabela. When rains are heavy to intense, the amount of rain showers may range between 100 to 200 millimeters and numerous flooding events are likely in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers, while landslides are also likely,” weather specialist Veronica Torres said in Filipino.

“Meanwhile, for moderate to heavy rains, 50 to 100 millimeters of rainwater is expected over Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao. When we expect moderate to heavy rains, localized flooding is possible mainly within urbanized, low-lying, and areas near rivers, while landslides are also possible in highly-susceptible places,” she added.

READ: Pagasa explains why recent typhoons tend to only hit Northern Luzon

Pagasa also noted that the heavy to intense rain forecast for Cagayan and Isabela may last up to Sunday, January 5.

According to Pagas, no low pressure area or tropical cyclones are being monitored near the Philippine area of responsibility. Rather, the rains are still caused by the cloudy weather brought by the northeast monsoon or amihan, and the shear line — the area where warm easterlies and cold northern winds converge.

Due to the rains, expected temperatures for Saturday would still be lower up north, with following ranges:

• Laoag City: 24 to 31°C
• Tuguegarao City: 22 to 28°C
• Baguio City: 16 to 23°C
• Metro Manila: 25 to 31°C
• Tagaytay City: 22 to 29°C
• Legazpi City: 25 to 30°C
• Puerto Princesa City: 25 to 32°C

In the Visayas and Mindanao, temperatures in major cities may range as follows:

• Tacloban City: 24 to 31°C
• Iloilo City: 24 to 31°C
• Cagayan de Oro: 24 to 31°C
• Cebu City: 25 to 31°C
• Davao City: 24 to 32°C
• Zamboanga City: 24 to 33°C

Meanwhile, a gale warning has been raised over the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Small boat operators and fisherfolk are advised to take precautionary measures as waves may reach 2.8 to 4.5 meters.