Despite the absence of any monitored low-pressure area (LPA), several weather systems will continue to bring rains over large parts of the country, particularly eastern Luzon, the Visayas, and eastern Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Sunday, Dec. 21.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said no weather disturbance is currently being monitored either inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but cloud clusters associated with the easterlies will still cause rainfall in many areas.

“Wala po tayong mino-monitor na low-pressure area sa loob at labas ng Philippine Area of Responsibility, pero makikita niyo pa rin ang mga kaulapan na magdadala ng mga pag-ulan. Ito po ay dulot ng easterlies sa malaking bahagi ng eastern section ng ating bansa (We are not monitoring any low-pressure area inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but cloud formations that will bring rains are still present. These are caused by the easterlies affecting a large portion of the eastern section of the country),” he said.

Badrina said the shear line is also expected to affect parts of Northern Luzon within the day, bringing the possibility of moderate to heavy rains.

“Inaasahan din natin ‘yung shear line ay muling makakaapekto within the day, partikular na sa Cagayan at Isabela na maaaring magdala ng hanggang sa malalakas na mga pag-ulan (We also expect the shear line to affect the country again within the day, particularly Cagayan and Isabela, which may experience moderate to heavy rains),” he added.

Because of this, PAGASA reiterated its warning for possible weather-related hazards, especially in areas prone to flooding and landslides.

“Muli po, mag-ingat pa rin sa mga posibilidad ng landslides and flash floods lalong-lalo na po sa area ng eastern section ng eastern section ng Northern Luzon, ‘yung Cagayan [at] Isabela dulot nga po ‘yan ng posibleng epekto ng shear line (Once again, we remind the public to remain cautious of possible landslides and flash floods, especially in the area of the eastern section of the eastern section of Northern Luzon, Cagayan [and] Isabela, due to the possible effects of the shear line),” said Badrina.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said the easterlies will continue to affect much of the Visayas and the eastern sections of Mindanao, resulting in generally rainy conditions.

“Magiging maulan pa rin sa malaking bahagi ng kabisayaan at sa may silangang bahagi ng Mindanao na dulot din po ‘yan ng easterlies. Muli po. Mag-ingat po sa mga posibilidad ng landslides and flash floods sa mga nabanggit po na lugar (It will remain rainy over a large part of the Visayas and the eastern portion of Mindanao due to the easterlies. Again, please be cautious of possible landslides and flash floods in the mentioned areas),” the weather specialist said.

In other parts of the country, including the rest of Luzon and some areas in Mindanao, PAGASA said generally fair weather may prevail, though isolated rain showers and thunderstorms are still possible, particularly in the afternoon.

“Mapapansin naman natin sa ibang bahagi ng ating bansa, dito sa may Luzon at iba pang bahagi ng Mindanao, makakaranas naman ng mga isolated or mga pulo-pulong pag-ulan, pagkidlat, pagkulog bandang tanghali hanggang sa hapon kaya mainam magdala pa rin po tayo ng panangga lang sa ulan sa araw na ito (In other parts of the country, such as Luzon and other areas of Mindanao, isolated or scattered rain showers, lightning, and thunderstorms may occur from noon to afternoon, so it is still advisable to bring protection against the rain today),” Badrina said.