By Alexandria Dennise San Juan
Rain showers will prevail over most parts of the country on Friday as the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and localized thunderstorms continue to affect the archipelago, the state weather bureau said.
In its weather update issued Friday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao.
The ITCZ, PAGASA explained, is the convergence of winds coming from the northeast and southeast which triggers thunderstorms and rain showers.
The bureau advised residents in areas affected by the said weather system that flash floods or landslides are possible due to scattered moderate to at times heavy rains.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country caused by the ITCZ and localized thunderstorms.
Flash floods or landslides are also possible in these areas during severe thunderstorms, PAGASA added.
The state weather agency announced last week the onset of the rainy season following the occurrence of scattered thunderstorms, a tropical depression, and the southwest monsoon which have poured significant amounts of rains over the western section of Luzon and Visayas.
According to PAGASA, the southwest monsoon or "habagat" will continue to bring widespread rains and thunderstorms in the coming days, but may also be followed by dry periods or monsoon break that could last for up to two weeks.
PAGASA said the Philippines has only two seasons -- the dry which usually begins in April and lasts until the second week of May, and the wet season which normally starts in June.