By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The extension of a low pressure area (LPA) is expected to trigger heavy rains that could cause flashfloods and landslides over some parts of Mindanao over the weekend, the state weather bureau warned.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the trough or advanced clouds of the LPA will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.
It warned of possible flooding over low-lying areas or landslides over mountainous areas due to light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the tail-end of cold front will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over the eastern section of Southern Luzon and Bicol Region.
PAGASA also warned of possible landslides and flash floods due to heavy rains in Quezon province, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate.
A weak northeast monsoon or amihan will persist across Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Apayao, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Aurora, bringing partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains over these areas.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA has yet to declare the termination of the ‘amihan’ season.
Based on PAGASA’s climatological record, the termination of ‘amihan’ season is usually declared by end of March or early April.