Moderate to heavy rainfall expected in some areas of Luzon, Visayas — PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday, Feb. 20 that moderate to heavy rains may affect parts of Luzon and Visayas due to the shear line and the northeast monsoon (amihan).

PAGASA Weather Specialist Chenel Dominguez said that, currently, no tropical cyclones are affecting the country. However, the shear line and amihan could trigger flash floods or landslides in vulnerable areas.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected in the Visayas, Bicol Region, Caraga, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon due to the shear line—a weather system that forms when cold winds from the amihan collide with warm breezes from the Pacific Ocean (easterlies).

PAGASA added that the amihan will bring cloudy skies and rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers, caused by the amihan or easterlies.