The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5, that it is closely monitoring cloud clusters over Mindanao for the potential formation of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) as the northeast monsoon and easterlies continue to affect Luzon and the rest of the country.

“Meron tayong mga cloud clusters na namamataan sa may silangan ng Mindanao, bagama’t mababa ang tiyansa na maging isa itong bagyo, mino-monitor natin ito ngayon for possible formation as a low-pressure area (Cloud clusters have been observed east of Mindanao, although the chances of it developing into a storm are low, it is currently being monitored for possible formation into a low-pressure area),” said PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja in a weather forecast.

Meanwhile, Estareja said the northeast monsoon or “amihan” and easterlies continue to affect Luzon and the rest of the country, bringing isolated rain showers and cloudy skies.

“Asahan pa rin ang epekto ng malamig na northeast monsoon o hanging amihan na nakakaapekto sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon, medyo malakas na ito sa ngayon kaya’t aasahan din ang mga mahina at katamtamang pag-ulan (Expect the cold northeast monsoon or 'hanging amihan' to continue affecting most parts of Luzon, which is now stronger, so light to moderate rains are also expected),” he explained.

Estareja also mentioned that the easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, are influencing the weather in Visayas and Mindanao.

In its daily weather forecast, PAGASA said that the northeast monsoon will bring cloudy skies and rain to Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte.

Due to the "amihan," partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are also expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Caraga, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Davao Oriental will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms caused by the easterlies.

Likewise, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are expected in the rest of the country, still due to the easterlies.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms or moderate to heavy rains.