PAGASA: Brief afternoon thunderstorms loom over Sendong-hit areas

Brief afternoon thunderstorms loom over parts of Mindanao, including areas hit hard by tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi) last weekend, state weather forecasters said Tuesday.

 

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Sonny Pajarilla said the thunderstorms, which he said are due to atmospheric moisture, may not be sustained.

 

"Pagdating sa bandang hapon lalo ‘yung northeast part, inuulan ‘yan ng bandang hapon dahil sa lakas ng hanging silangan. Masyadong mataas ang atmospheric moisture. Inaasahan ang thunderstorms sa hapon although hindi sustained tulad ng nangyari kahapon (In the afternoon, parts of Mindanao especially the northeast part can expect rain because of winds from the east and high atmospheric moisture. We can expect thunderstorms in the afternoon but they won't be sustained)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio when asked if rain will fall on Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

 

These two cities are among the hardest-hit areas after "Sendong" lashed Mindanao and Visayas over the weekend.

 

But Pajarilla reiterated there is no threat of another cyclone inside and outside the Philippine area of responsibility at this time.

 

Earlier, PAGASA had said it expects only one cyclone to enter or form inside Philippine territory this month.

 

"Wala tayo so far sa labas at loob ng ating Philippine area of responsibility (So far we have not seen any cyclone inside and outside the Philippine area of responsibility)," Pajarilla said.

 

Northeast monsoon to bring rain

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin indicated the northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon.

 

"Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers becoming cloudy with widespread rain over the eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms," it said.

 

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.

 

Gale warning

 

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of Luzon.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. –KG, GMA News