The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday said that despite the exit of a low pressure area (LPA) from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), rains will persist in most parts of the country due to the prevailing southwest monsoon or "habagat."

"Umiiral pa rin po ang habagat at yung binabantayan nating Low Pressure Area ay lumabas na po ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (Habagat prevails and the LPA we have been monitoring has already left the PAR)," DOST-PAGASA weather specialist Samuel Duran said in a 4 a.m. public weather forecast. LPAs are potential cyclones.

In Luzon, Habagat-induced rains are expected over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, and Mindoro provinces. He said the rains can be intermittent throughout the day.

"Kapag monsoon rains po, and intensity po niyan is from light at kung minsan pa ay umaabot into heavy rainfall (The intensity of monsoon rains ranges from light to heavy rainfall)," he said.

For the rest of Luzon and Metro Manila, cloudy weather with scattered rains will prevail during the day and most likely for the entire weekend, the weather forecaster said. Fair weather is expected in the metropolis by Monday.

Habagat will also bring rains to parts of Visayas and Mindanao, particularly to Zamboanga peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Davao region.

"Ang nalalabing bahagi naman po ng Mindanao ay makakaranas ng pulo-pulong pag-ulan at pagkidlat at pagkulog (The rest of Mindanao will experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms)," Duran said.

The state weather bureau has raised a gale warning in the northern and western seaboard of Luzon. This means that going out to sea using small boats is highly discouraged due to potential mishap.