ITCZ Continues to Bring Rains over Bicol, Visayas, Mindanao

Manila — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday said Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will continue to induce rains in most parts of the country.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the ITCZ affecting Bicol region, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.

She added the rest of the country including Metro Manila will experience fair weather except for isolated rainshowers due to localized thunderstorms.

Escullar also said that as 4 a.m. the low pressure area (LPA) was estimated at 480 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (15.0ºN, 129.0ºE) — won’t affect any part of the country yet.

She said the LPA has slim chance to intensify into tropical cyclone and is expected to weaken to trough in the next 24 hours due to another LPA still outside the country’s area of responsibility.

The said LPA outside is expected to enter Philippine Area of Responsibility by Sunday and has high chance to intensify into tropical depression.

Once it intensifies into tropical depression it will be named “Florita”, the sixth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

PAGASA expects two to three storms to hit the country for month of July.

According to Escullar once the LPA enters the country it will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains in most parts of the country.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

It added light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC