Several weather systems will continue to bring rains over wide portions of the country, particularly northern and central Luzon, the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, even as no low-pressure area (LPA) is being monitored, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, Dec. 22.

According to PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil, thick cloud formations affecting the eastern sections of the country are being driven by the shear line and the northeast monsoon or “amihan,” while the Visayas and Mindanao are under the influence of the easterlies.

“Itong mga makakapal na kaulapan na umiiral sa silangang bahagi ng ating bansa ay itong patuloy na epekto nitong shear line dito sa silangang bahagi ng northern and central Luzon (The thick cloud formations prevailing over the eastern part of the country are due to the continuing effects of the shear line affecting eastern northern and central Luzon),” he said in his report.

He explained that cloud clusters over the Visayas and Mindanao are likewise being sustained by the easterlies.

“Samantala, ito namang mga kaulapan sa may Visayas at Mindanao ay ang patuloy na epekto ng easterlies (Meanwhile, the cloud formations over the Visayas and Mindanao are due to the continuing effects of the easterlies),” he said.

Because of the combined effects of the shear line and amihan, Villamil said rains are expected over much of northern and central Luzon, including the eastern sections of Southern Luzon.

Villamil said the easterlies will bring rains over the remaining parts of Southern Luzon, a large portion of the Visayas, and the northeastern portion of Mindanao.

For Metro Manila and the rest of the country, the state weather bureau said generally fair weather is still expected, although localized afternoon to evening rain showers or thunderstorms remain possible.

PAGASA said there is no developing weather disturbance being monitored, and the likelihood of a tropical cyclone forming in the coming days remains low.

“At sa kasalukuyan, wala pa rin tayong mino-monitor na low-pressure area at nananatiling maliit ‘yung tiyansa na magkaroon tayo ng bagyo sa mga susunod na araw (At present, we are not monitoring any low-pressure area, and the chance of a storm developing in the coming days remains low),” said Villamil.