Metro Manila and most parts of the country will continue to experience warm and humid weather due to the prevailing easterlies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Feb. 2.
“Ngayong ikalawang araw po ng Pebrero, mahina pa rin po ang amihan or Northeast Monsoon na tanging nakakaapekto lamang dito sa extreme Northern Luzon (On this second day of February, the northeast monsoon (amihan) remains weak and is only affecting the extreme northern part of Luzon) ,” PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said.
Meanwhile, he noted that the easterlies remain dominant and are bringing hot and humid conditions across most of the country.
Metro Manila’s temperature, he said, is expected to range from 24°C to 32°C, similar to Thursday’s heat, while Baguio City may experience a cooler 15°C to 22°C.
“Ngayong araw, asahan po ang mainit at malinsangan na panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon, lalo na sa southern portions (Today, expect hot and humid weather in most parts of Luzon, especially in the southern portions),” Estareja said.
According to the weather specialist, fair weather will prevail in the morning, followed by isolated rain showers in the afternoon and evening, particularly in Bicol, Quezon, and Aurora.
Visayas and Palawan will have generally clear skies, with warm mornings and occasional rain showers in the afternoon or evening, he added.
“Sa ating mga kababayan po sa Palawan at malaking bahagi ng Visayas, magiging mainam din po ang pamamasyal at paglabas ng bahay for today (To our kababayans in Palawan and most parts of the Visayas, it will also be a good day for sightseeing and going out of the house today),” he said.
He said that Metro Cebu’s temperature will range between 25°C and 31°C.
In Mindanao, Estareja said frequent rain showers are expected, particularly in Caraga and Davao Region.
“Magbaon pa rin po ng payong dahil magiging madalas ang pag-ulan lalo na sa may Caraga and Davao region, dulot ng easterlies, at minsan malakas po ito lalo na sa dakong hapon hanggang sa gabi,” Estareja warned.
The hottest temperatures in Mindanao will be recorded in Zamboanga City, General Santos City, and Cotabato City at 33°C, he noted.
Despite the weak amihan, Estareja said that cloudy skies with light rains will persist in Batanes and extreme Northern Luzon.
“Wala pa rin po tayong gale warning dahil mahina pa rin ang hanging amihan (There is still no gale warning as the northeast monsoon winds remain weak),” said Estareja.
However, he said that rough seas in extreme Northern Luzon may reach up to 3.7 meters, which remains hazardous for small vessels.
For the next four days, PAGASA forecasts the northeast monsoon to strengthen, bringing light to moderate rains in Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, and Quezon starting Saturday. By Tuesday, rains may extend to northern Bicol and persist throughout the week.
By midweek, the intensified amihan interacting with the easterlies may form a shear line, bringing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in parts of Visayas and Mindanao, including Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region.
“Minsan malalakas po ‘yung mga pag-ulan na ‘yan. Dahil sa shear line at easterlies, mag-iingat sa banta ng baha at landslides (Sometimes those rains can be heavy. Due to the shear line and easterlies, please be cautious of the threat of flooding and landslides),” Estareja cautioned
PAGASA assured the public that no tropical cyclone is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the coming days.