By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The southwest monsoon locally called "habagat" is back in the Philippines bringing scattered rains and thunderstorms mostly over the western section of the country.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Meno Mendoza said the "habagat" may prevail over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao until Monday, June 29.
Scattered light to moderate rains that may become heavy during thunderstorms are likely over Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi.
These areas will likely see improvements in weather conditions by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Mendoza said Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be warm and humid with chances of isolated afternoon or evening rain showers due to localized thunderstorms until Wednesday except for some parts of Northern and Central Luzon that may have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mendoza warned that the monsoon rains, as well as the isolated rains due to thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening, could trigger flash floods or landslides in areas highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.
The weather bureau on Sunday has not issued a gale warning across the country's coasts thus fisherfolk and seafarers are safe to sail. Slight to moderate seas are expected over the entire archipelago.
Mendoza added that PAGASA does not expect a tropical cyclone or weather disturbance near or within the Philippine area of responsibility in the next two to three days.