Students returning to school this week may get a break from the persistent rains as the southwest monsoon or “habagat” is expected to temporarily weaken in the coming days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, June 7.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said cloudiness over western Luzon has already decreased as the effects of the habagat begin to ease.

“Itong southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ na nagsimula noong mga nakaraang linggo ay inaasahan na medyo hihina po. Dahil doon, sa mga susunod na araw, tamang-tama po sa panahon ng darating na pasukan ngayong linggo ine-expect po natin medyo mababawasan ‘yung mga malalakas na pag-ulan dulot ng hanging habagat (The southwest monsoon, or habagat, which began affecting the country in recent weeks, is expected to temporarily weaken. Because of this, we expect the heavy rains brought by the monsoon to ease in the coming days, just in time for the opening of classes this week),” he said.

Badrina also noted that no low-pressure area or tropical cyclone is expected to develop or enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the next few days.

For June, PAGASA expects one to two tropical cyclones to either form within or enter the PAR.

Over the next 24 hours, PAGASA said occasional monsoon rains may still affect Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and the rest of the Ilocos Region may experience scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the habagat.

The rest of the country will have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms because of localized thunderstorm activities.

Despite the expected improvement in weather, PAGASA urged the public to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides during sudden heavy rainfall.