MANILA, Philippines – Rains in Metro Manila and the entire Luzon were expected due to a southwest monsoon, the state weather bureau said on Monday.
MTSAT ENHANCED IR Satellite Image for 7:32 a.m., 18 June 2012
The downpour since Sunday were brought by the southwest monsoon, which affects the country from June to August even without any weather disturbance, said Cris Perez of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
However, the southwest monsoon affecting Luzon was triggered by typhoon Butchoy (international name Guchol), which was on its way out of the country, and a tropical depression spotted off the West Philippine Sea.
“Luzon will have occasional rains becoming frequent over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms,” Pagasa said.
Meanwhile, as of 4a.m., the eye of typhoon “Butchoy” was seen 470 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes (21.3°N, 126.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph.
The tropical depression at the West Philippine Sea was not expected to enter the country within the next 24 hours, Perez added.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the Southeast to Southwest over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough, it said.
In Luzon, fishing boats and other small seacraft were advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels were alerted against big waves, Pagasa also said.