PAGASA Forecasts Storm-free Weekend for PHL

(PNA) — 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 Aldczar Aurelio 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.

He said the agency expect three to five tropical cyclones to affect the country this month.

Two tropical cyclones — “Egay” and “Falcon” — have so far entered the country this month which both enhanced the southwest monsoon. The next tropical cyclone will be named “Goring”.

Except in Northern Luzon, most parts of the country will continue to experience generally fair weather as the southwest monsoon continues to be the dominant weather system affecting the country.

For Thursday forecast, monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over Ilocos region, province of Benguet and the islands of Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan.

Occasional rains are expected over the rest of Cordillera and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest with slight to moderate seas.

Aurelio said with the presence of southwest monsoon the state-run weather bureau also issued gale warning due to strong gale force wind as the sea condition will be rough to very rough is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned. (PNA) JBP/CLTC