Storm-free Philippines Until Weekend

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

PAGASA weather forecaster Robert Badrina said the agency has not seen any weather disturbance near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) that may develop into tropical cyclone until weekend.

He said the agency expect zero to one tropical cyclone to affect the country this month.

He noted the Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) extending over northern Luzon and the easterlies will continue to prevail over the eastern section of central and southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Despite a warmer weather, the occurrence of isolated rains will still prevail due to localized thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

The state weather bureau explained that the convective activity brought about by intense heat triggers the formation of more cumulonimbus clouds or dark clouds associated with thunderstorms that brings rains.

For Friday forecast, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly over the eastern section of central and southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over northern Luzon and eastern section of the country and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the east with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JMC/CLTC