Cool weather in Metro Manila, Luzon; scattered rains, thunderstorms in Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon or «amihan» is affecting most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, while the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and shear line prevail over Mindanao and the Visayas.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) maintained in its 5 a.m. advisory that it has not monitored any weather disturbance inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility until over the weekend.

Weather specialist Benison Estareja said that aside from the National Capital Region, amihan was also affecting the Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon where partly cloudy to cloudy skies would be likely.

On one hand, the ITCZ — where winds from the southern and northern hemispheres meet — has been bringing scattered rains and thunderstorms over Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and Negros Island Region.

Another weather system, the shearline — an imaginary line where the hot and cold air converge — is affecting Quezon, Laguna and Bicol Region where similar weather patterns will also prevail, the state-run weather agency said.

The rest of the country will be experiencing isolated downpours or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms within 24 hours, it added.