The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, Oct. 31, warned that several parts of the country may experience cloudy skies and rains during the observance of “Undas,” as millions of Filipinos flock to cemeteries nationwide.

According to the state weather bureau, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to affect Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, increasing the likelihood of rains across many areas.

“Unahin po natin itong Intertropical Convergence Zone o ITCZ na siyang nakakaapekto particular na sa may Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (Let’s start with the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ, which is currently affecting Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao),” PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said.

He said the system will bring mostly cloudy skies with rain over Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), SOCCSKSARGEN, Davao Region, Lanao del Norte, and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

“Inaasahan po natin malaking posibilidad na maulap na kalangitan na may mga pag-ulan (We expect mostly cloudy skies with a high chance of rain),” he said.

“Kaya sa mga kababayan po natin lalong-lalo ngayon po ay non-special working holiday, kung dadalaw po kayo sa inyong mga mahal na yumao sa mga sementeryo mainam na magdala po tayo ng pananggalang sa ulan (Since today is a non-working holiday and many are visiting cemeteries, it’s best to bring rain protection),” he added.

Badrina said the shear line, or the convergence of cold and warm air, will likewise bring cloudy skies with rain over Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora provinces.

“Ito po ‘yung may pagka malamig na hangin na magdadala rin ng maulap na kalangitan na may mga pag-ulan (This is the cold air mass that can also bring cloudy skies with rain),” he explained.

Meanwhile, the agency said northeast monsoon or amihan has begun to prevail in the country and is expected to bring light rains over Batanes and nearby islands.

For the rest of the country, including Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao, PAGASA said localized thunderstorms are expected, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

“Mas maliit naman po ang mga posibilidad ng pag-ulan lalong-lalo na sa bandang umaga hanggang tanghali, sa hapon possible ‘yung mga localized thunderstorms (The chance of rain is lower in the morning until noon, but localized thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon),” he noted.

Badrina said the agency is also monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) located about 1,600 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao, which remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of Friday morning.

“Sa ngayon po ay hindi pa natin inaasahan na magiging bagyo within the day (For now, we don’t expect it to develop into a tropical cyclone today),” he said.

“Pero possible po pagdating ng araw ng Linggo hanggang Lunes possible itong maging isang bagyo papasok ito ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (However, it may develop into a tropical cyclone by Sunday or Monday as it enters the PAR),” he went on.

Should the weather disturbance intensify into a tropical depression, Badrina said it could bring widespread rains over the eastern sections of Visayas, Mindanao, and Southern Luzon early next week.