(Updated 8:57 a.m.) - The southwest monsoon will continue to bring rain to Metro Manila and parts of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas, state weather forecasters said Tuesday.

 

PAGASA forecaster Connie Dadivas said that while annular typhoon Karen (Sanba) is now far from the Philippines, the monsoon continues to affect Southern Luzon and Visayas.

 

"Meron tayong habagat na umiiral pa rin sa Southern Luzon at Visayas," Dadivas said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

She said this means rain over Metro Manila and parts of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas.

 

On the other hand, Dadivas said the low-pressure area spotted off Batanes late Monday had dissolved.

However, according to GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Tani" Cruz, with the monsoon trough (extending from southern Japan to West Philippine Sea) crossing southern Luzon and Visayas, the southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to bring occasional light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over central and southern sections of Luzon and entire Visayas.

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin also said moderate to strong southwesterly windflow is prevailing over Southern Luzon and Visayas.

 

"Metro Manila will experience occasional light to moderate rain and thunderstorms. Moderate winds blowing from the west to southwest will prevail and Manila Bay will be moderate," it said.

 

Occasional light to moderate rain and thunderstorms will be experienced in Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas, it added.

 

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy skies with brief rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening, PAGASA said.

 

Moderate to strong winds from the northeast will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon, making the coastal waters along these areas moderate to rough.

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the west to southwest with slight to moderate seas. –A.M. Marzoña/KG, GMA News