More rains expected as enhanced 'habagat' persists — PAGASA
Rains will continue to affect most parts of the country due to the southwest monsoon (habagat), said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, July 20.
PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina explained that although severe tropical storm Crising (international name: Wipha) exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on July 19, it continues to enhance the habagat, bringing heavy rains particularly over western Luzon.
As of 3 a.m. Sunday, Crising was located 655 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, and was heading toward mainland China.
Badrina added that no new low-pressure areas are being monitored within the PAR as of Sunday morning.
However, the possibility of a tropical cyclone developing in the coming days or weeks remains, as two to three cyclones are typically expected to form or enter the PAR during July. Crising is already the second cyclone this month.
Over the next three days, the enhanced habagat will remain the dominant weather system, continuing to bring rainy conditions over various parts of the country.
On Sunday, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro are expected to receive heavy to intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters).
Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, and Oriental Mindoro may experience moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters).
Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in the Visayas, the rest of Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.
The rest of Mindanao will have generally fair weather, with only isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
By Monday, July 21, heavy to intense rainfall will persist in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.
Moderate to heavy rains will continue in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas.
Rains are expected to weaken slightly by Tuesday, July 22, but moderate to heavy rains will still affect Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.
Badrina continues to warn residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain alert and monitor PAGASA’s updates, as prolonged rainfall may still lead to hazardous conditions.