By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
A prevailing weak southwest monsoon will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over the western sections of Luzon this Monday.
(PAGASA / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Metro Manila, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA warned those living in low-lying and mountainous areas of possible flooding and landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.
Based on the historical record of the PAGASA, two to three cyclones usually enter or from inside the country's area of responsibility in August, which either move west or northwest of Luzon.
July until September is the peak of southwest monsoon season, locally known as “habagat” and tropical cyclone activity is at its maximum, PAGASA said.
This August, generally near normal rainfall is likely in Luzon and Visayas, while rainfall will be below near normal in general portions of Mindanao.