Parts of Visayas and Mindanao may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the next 24-hour period due to easterlies, said the state weather bureau on Saturday morning, March 18. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Specialist Patrick Del Mundo said easterlies — or the warm and humid winds from the Pacific Ocean – is particularly affecting Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. “Dahil dito sa easterlies ay posible na ring tumaas ang maximum temperatures dito sa Southern Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao (Because of the easterlies, maximum temperatures in Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao may also begin to increase),” said Del Mundo in a public weather forecast. Apart from the easterlies, PAGASA is also monitoring the northeast monsoon, otherwise known as “amihan.” Del Mundo, in the same public weather forecast, said the northeast monsoon continues to weaken and is no longer bringing a “significant impact” to affected areas. “Nakakaapekto na lang ito sa bahagi ng extreme Northern Luzon (It is only affecting parts of extreme Northern Luzon),” he said. These areas include Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Fair and warm weather conditions may prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country due to the combined effects of the easterlies and localized thunderstorms. According to Del Mundo, no weather disturbance is expected to develop or affect the Philippines over the weekend.