Scattered rains prevail over parts of the Philippines

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, March 9 said three weather systems—the shear line, easterlies, and northeast monsoon—will bring cloudy skies and rains to various parts of the country over the next 24 hours. 

The shear line, which forms from the collision of cold winds from the northeast monsoon (amihan) and warm breezes from the Pacific Ocean (easterlies), will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms to Bicol Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms will also prevail over Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan due to the easterlies.

PAGASA warned of potential flash floods or landslides in areas affected by the shear line and easterlies, especially during moderate to heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the amihan will continue to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte.

Badrina noted that the amihan is expected to weaken in the coming days.

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the shear line and easterlies. 

PAGASA warned that severe thunderstorms may also cause flash floods or landslides, especially in vulnerable areas.