'Habagat' to bring rains over Northern Luzon

MANILA – The southwest monsoon or “habagat” is forecast to bring rains over the northern parts of Luzon, the weather bureau said Friday.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the southwest monsoon will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Batanes, and Cagayan.

The "habagat" is likewise expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA said the rest of the country will experience isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.

The northern and western sections of Luzon will experience moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas, while the rest of the archipelago will have light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said fair weather with isolated rains will prevail until Saturday as tropical depression Neneng has weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) over Taiwan and is no longer affecting the country.

He said another LPA outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), or 1,700 km. east of northeastern Mindanao, has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone but will not enter PAR and is expected to dissipate immediately.

Badrina said PAGASA is also monitoring Severe Tropical Storm Saudel, located 2,735 km. east of southeastern Luzon, which is expected to enter PAR and to enhance the habagat on Sunday or Monday.

-Jose Cielito Reganit/Philippine News Agency