Moderate to at times heavy rains may prevail across most of the country within 24 hours due to the combined effects of a low pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin issued on Saturday, Oct. 10, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of the LPA at 260 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.
The LPA has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours, according to weather specialist Ana Clauren.
Meanwhile, a tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), west of the country is enhancing the southwest monsoon. This weather disturbance has no direct effect over the Philippines and is currently moving towards Vietnam.
The combined effects of the LPA and “habagat” may bring scattered light to moderate rains over Metro Manila, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Visayas.
The public is advised to remain alert during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially those in areas that are highly susceptible to flooding and landslides.
Meanwhile, the northeasterly surface wind flow or slight breeze coming from the northeast will prevail over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Apayao. Isolated light rains are likely to occur in these areas.
The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
Those in Mindanao may have to take extra precaution, especially in the event of severe thunderstorm activity, as flooding and landslides may affect the area.
A gale warning was issued on Saturday due to possible strong to gale force winds triggered by the northeasterly surface wind flow.
Rough to very rough seas are expected over the coasts of Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Isabela.
Those using fishing boats and other small boats should not set sail over these seaboards, while larger sea vessels should be on alert for big waves, PAGASA advised.