By Ma. Cristina Arayata | Philippine News Agency
The southwest monsoon or habagat will bring rain showers across Luzon and Western Visayas on Friday as a new tropical cyclone (TC) is expected to enter the country over the weekend, the weather bureau said.
In its 4 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro and Northern Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, will experience monsoon rains.
Flooding or landslides are possible due to scattered to widespread rains, it warned.
Occasional rains are expected over Metro Manila, the Cordillera region, Calabarzon, the rest of Central Luzon, and the rest of Mimaropa, while scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are likely over Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas.
Moderate to heavy rains may also result in flooding or landslides in these areas, PAGASA said.
The rest of the country will have isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.
Strong winds and rough seas will prevail across Luzon and the Visayas.
Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over Mindanao.
Meanwhile, PAGASA has been monitoring Tropical Storm Khanun (international name) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
It was last tracked 1,315 km. east of Eastern Visayas.
This tropical cyclone might enter PAR late Saturday to Sunday, and is forecast to continuously intensify within the next five days.
It may develop into a typhoon and reach its peak intensity either Monday or Tuesday.
Once inside PAR, the tropical cyclone will be given the local name Falcon.
Occasional or monsoon rains may be experienced over the western portions of Luzon and the Visayas beginning this weekend as the tropical cyclone would enhance the “habagat,” PAGASA said. – gb
