As the Philippines welcomes the new year, the country will remain cyclone-free during the first few days of 2025, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, Dec. 30.
However, while no low-pressure areas (LPAs) or tropical cyclones are expected within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said Filipinos should brace for scattered rains and thunderstorms due to various weather systems.
Estareja said the effects of the northeast monsoon (amihan), shear line, and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will bring wet weather over large portions of the country, particularly in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
From Tuesday, Dec. 31 to Wednesday, Jan. 1, Cagayan, Isabela, Quezon, Aurora, and parts of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, and parts of Western and Eastern Mindanao can expect scattered rainfall.
On Tuesday, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte are particularly expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters)
On Wednesday, moderate to heavy rainfall may also affect Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Albay, Sorsogon, and again, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte.
From Thursday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 3, the combined effects of the shear line and amihan will continue to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over parts of the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, and nearby provinces in Bicol and Calabarzon.
The rest of the country may also experience isolated rains or thunderstorms.
Estareja warned that flash floods and landslides could occur in areas highly susceptible to these hazards.