Rain from easterlies, ITCZ to drench parts of PH on June 18

Pagasa weather update. GRAPHICS BY INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The easterlies and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) are expected to bring rain to most parts of the country on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 5 a.m. update, Pagasa Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said the easterlies—or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean—would bring cloudy skies and rain showers over most parts of Luzon.

The easterlies will also bring warm weather to most parts of Palawan and the Visayas, he added.

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Light to moderate rains are expected in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, and Pangasinan due to the easterlies.

The rest of Northern Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with chances of isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the southern part of Southern Luzon will experience fair weather with a chance of isolated rain showers and thunderstorms from afternoon to evening.

Estareja also said the easterlies may bring isolated rain showers to the central and southern parts of Palawan, as well as to Panay and Negros Islands.

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On the other hand, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)—where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge—will continue to affect Mindanao.

According to Estareja, rain showers are expected as early as the morning in parts of Caraga, the Davao Region, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City), and the Bangsamoro Region.

“Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, down to Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and Tawi-Tawi will receive the most rain for the rest of the day,” he added. “So please also be cautious of possible flooding and landslides.”

The weather specialist added that the rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the morning, and mostly cloudy to cloudy conditions with chances of rain in the afternoon to evening.

Estareja also said that no tropical cyclones or low-pressure areas are being monitored within or near the Philippine Area of Responsibility at this time./mcm