Southwest monsoon to dump rains until weekend

MANILA, Philippines — The southwest monsoon will bring rains over parts of the country until weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The monsoon, or habagat, is affecting the western section of Luzon and the Visayas. It will bring scattered rains over Metro Manila, Central Luzon and the Cordilleras.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains will prevail over Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and Western Visayas as well as in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga peninsula.

Meanwhile, localized thunderstorms may bring isolated rains over the rest of the country.

Around 30 areas may still experience dangerous heat index levels today, with temperatures ranging between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius.