Rains expected in Luzon, Visayas starting Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — Rains are expected in Luzon including Metro Manila as well as in the Visayas starting Thursday amid the start of the rainy season, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Benison Estareja yesterday said the country is currently experiencing a monsoon break amid the hot temperature that continues to prevail despite the onset of the rainy season.

“We are experiencing monsoon break, meaning the habagat is not affecting the country and it is the easterlies. Even though we are on the onset of the rainy season, this (monsoon break) is still possible. Every year, even when the rainy season starts, there is always monsoon break,” Estareja said.

He pointed out that the monsoon break could only last for a few days, adding that many areas in the country will experience rains by Thursday.

“Before this weekend, rains will resume which means more areas will experience rains by Thursday and Friday. Today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) areas (that could experience rains) are in the northern section and by Thursday and Friday, rains are possible in most of Luzon and Visayas areas, including Metro Manila,” Estareja said.

The weather specialist also said that rains were expected yesterday in Batanes and Babuyan islands.

“By tomorrow (Tuesday), a big portion of Northern Luzon will have rains brought by the frontal system. These include Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos provinces and even Aurora,” Estareja noted.

Metro Manila should expect rains in the afternoon and in the evening because of the localized thunderstorms, he added.

Earlier, PAGASA said one or two typhoons are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month. It is currently monitoring cloud clusters in Taiwan.