Localized thunderstorms are expected to become more frequent in the coming weeks, particularly during the afternoons and evenings, as the country transitions into the rainy season, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, May 4.

“Now that we're in May and approaching the rainy season, especially from late May to the early weeks of June, you can expect more frequent localized thunderstorms in the afternoon until evening,” PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said.

“These are thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and thunder that typically last from 30 minutes to an hour,” he added.

Such weather events are common during the transition from the dry to the wet season. 

They are mainly caused by the buildup of heat and moisture throughout the day, which leads to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds by late afternoon.

“We are issuing thunderstorm advisories through our social media platforms to update the public on areas that may be affected,” Badrina said.

24-hour forecast

Over the next 24 hours, the low pressure area (LPA) located 310 kilometers northwest of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte or 55 kilometers south-southeast of Cuyo, Palawan will continue to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms across Visayas, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Batangas, and Quezon.

Badrina noted that the LPA has a slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone and is more likely to dissipate as it moves toward the West Philippine Sea.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains from the LPA.

Meanwhile, Badrina said hotter weather may persist in other parts of the country due to warm winds from the Pacific Ocean known as the “easterlies.”

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail but there is a possibility of isolated rain showers in the afternoon and evening due to localized thunderstorms.

The public is advised to stay alert for possible flash floods and landslides triggered by severe thunderstorms.