Most parts of the country can expect generally fair weather on Independence Day as the easterlies have become the dominant weather system while the southwest monsoon or habagat has weakened, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, June 12.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the prevailing weather system affecting the country is now the easterlies, or warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean.

“Sa ating latest satellite images, makikita po natin ngayon ay hindi na po masyadong umiiral o mahina na itong hanging habagat or southwest monsoon, at ang prevailing weather system ngayon ay itong easterlies or ‘yung hanging nagmumula nga sa Karagatang Pasipiko at ito ang magdadala ng generally fair weather or maaliwalas na panahon sa malaking bahagi ng ating bansa (Based on our latest satellite images, we can see that the southwest monsoon or habagat is no longer that active and has weakened. The prevailing weather system now is the easterlies, or winds coming from the Pacific Ocean, which will bring generally fair weather over a large part of the country),” he said.

However, the weather bureau said that localized rain showers and thunderstorms remain possible, particularly in the afternoon and evening, especially in parts of Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

“Bagamat posible pa rin ang mga localized rain showers and thunderstorms lalo na sa dakong hapon hanggang sa gabi(Localized rain showers and thunderstorms remain possible, especially from afternoon until evening),” said Badrina.

“Mas malaki po ang posibilidad nitong mga thunderstorms natin lalong-lalo na rito sa may silangang bahagi po ng Bicol Region, kasama ‘yung Easter Visayas, kasama ‘yung CARAGA, at Davao Region (There is a greater likelihood of thunderstorms, particularly over the eastern portion of the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region),” he added.

PAGASA reminded the public to remain vigilant against possible flash floods and landslides that may be triggered by intense thunderstorms.

“Ingat pa rin po sa mga banta ng flash floods and landslides lalo na kung mayroon po tayong moderate hanggang heavy na thunderstorms na nagdadala po ng malalakas na pag-ulan (The public should remain cautious against flash floods and landslides, especially if moderate to heavy thunderstorms bring intense rainfall),” the weather specialist said.

For Filipinos planning to participate in Independence Day activities, PAGASA said weather conditions are expected to be more favorable in the morning, although rain chances may increase later in the day.

“Para naman po sa mga kababayan natin na may activities po ngayong araw ng Kalayaan, inaasahan po nating ngayong umaga medyo maliit pa ‘yung posibilidad ng mga pag-ulan habang tumataas naman ang posibilidad ng pag-ulan sa hapon hanggan sa gabi (For those who have activities scheduled for Independence Day, the likelihood of rain is still relatively low this morning, although the chances of rain increase from the afternoon until evening),” Badrina said.

Meanwhile, Badrina said PAGASA is not monitoring any low-pressure area inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and the likelihood of a tropical cyclone developing in the coming days remains low.

“Sa ngayon nga po, wala po tayong mino-monitor na anumang low-pressure areas sa loob at labas ng Philippine Areas of Responsibility. At least in the next few days, maliit pa rin po ‘yung posibilidad na magkaroon tayo ng bagyo (At present, we are not monitoring any low-pressure areas inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. At least in the next few days, the likelihood of a tropical cyclone developing remains low),” he said.