While tropical cyclone Helen (Kai-Tak) may be gone, residents in the western part of Luzon can still expect rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

 

But PAGASA said on Friday the rain will no longer be as heavy as in past weeks, when cyclones enhanced the southwest monsoon.

 

"Ang chances ng pulo-pulong pag-ulan at pagkidlat naroon pa rin lalo sa hapon at gabi," PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

She said the monsoon had weakened following the departure of Helen from Philippine territory on Thursday.

 

Enriquez also said good weather will be likely for the weekend as there is no weather disturbance spotted near Philippine territory so far.

 

However, Enriquez said the high tide may cause flooding in some low-lying areas in Metro Manila.

 

"Ang Manila Bay hindi pa bumababa ang tubig. Ang tributaries, Pasig River hindi pa bumababa ang tubig," she said.

 

For Friday, she said the high tide may peak at 1.27 meters at 9:25 a.m., and may cause flooding in low-lying areas like Navotas and Malabon Cities.

 

Monsoon

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said the southwest monsoon is affecting Western Luzon.

 

"The western sections of Northern and Central Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said.

 

It added the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

 

Moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon, making its coastal waters moderate to rough.

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southeast to south with slight to moderate seas.

 

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale force winds associated with the southwest monsoon may still affect the western seaboards of Northern and Central 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