Fair Weather Seen Until Weekend

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday the country will remain storm-free in the next three days.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Denison Estareja said the agency has not seen any weather disturbance near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) that may develop into tropical cyclone within the next three days or until weekend.

Estareja said the public will continue to enjoy fair weather except in some parts of Luzon due to two weather systems now affecting the country.

He said northeast monsoon continues to prevail over Northern Luzon while tail-end of a cold front affects the eastern section of Southern Luzon.

The northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” is the cold wind from China and Siberia that blows into the country from late October until mid-February. It is usually associated with the Christmas season.

The tail-end of a cold front serves as the front boundary of two air masses, hot and cold, that produces clouds and rain.

He noted the northeast monsoon has now weakened due to the presence of El Niño.

Due to the weakening of northeast monsoon the gale warning in Northern Luzon has been lifted as fisherfolk are now safe to venture into the seas.

For Thursday forecast, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms is expected over Bicol Region and the provinces of Samar while cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced over Cagayan Valley Region.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains is expected over the regions of Ilocos and Cordillera while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC