The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, said the northeast monsoon (amihan) has reintensified, bringing rain showers and cooler temperatures to parts of Luzon. Three other weather systems are expected to trigger thunderstorms across the country.
Over the next 24 hours, PAGASA said rains will affect Batanes, Cagayan, and Apayao due to the amihan.
Cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms from the shear line will prevail over Isabela and Aurora. The shear line forms when cold winds from the amihan collide with warm breezes from the Pacific Ocean (easterlies).
PAGASA said cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms will persist in Zamboanga Peninsula, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), or the convergence of winds from the northern and southern hemispheres.
The weather bureau warned that areas affected by the three weather systems may experience flash floods and landslides, especially during moderate to heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies.
PAGASA also advised the public to stay vigilant as severe thunderstorms—often associated with bursts of heavy rainfall, lightning, thunder, and gusty winds that usually last up to two hours—may trigger flash floods or landslides.