Expect Friday afternoon showers in Metro Manila, C. Luzon, Calabarzon

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MANILA, Philippines — Thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rain showers may affect most of Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon on Friday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

An advisory released by Pagasa on 2:13 p.m. of Friday showed a huge portion of Luzon either being affected or will be affected by thunderstorms and rain showers.

Of the areas mentioned, Tarlac, portions of Zambales, portions of Nueva Ecija, parts of Bulacan and Rizal, and southern Quezon province are already experiencing rain showers.

“Moderate to Heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds are expected over Bataan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, Metro Manila and Batangas within the next 2 hours,” Pagasa said in a statement posted on its social media pages.

“Heavy to intense rain showers with lightning and strong winds are being experienced in Bulacan(San Jose del Monte, Santa Maria, Norzagaray), Rizal(Rodriguez), Nueva Ecija(Cabiao, Laur, Palayan, General Mamerto Natividad, Cabanatuan), Zambales(Masinloc, Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Palauig, Botolan), Tarlac(San Jose, Mayantoc, Bamban, Capas) and Quezon(Tagkawayan) which may persist within 2 hours and may affect nearby areas,” it added.

READ: Sporadic rains ‘precursory signs’ of coming wet season—Pagasa 

Pagasa said residents of the areas mentioned are advised to “take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with these hazards”, like flash floods for low-lying areas and landslides for those living near mountain slopes.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces have experienced occasional rains for the past few weeks, after intense heat during the dry season.  According to Pagasa, these sporadic rains may be precursory signs that the rainy season is approaching.