Ofel, southwest monsoon to bring scattered rains over parts of the country

Tropical Depression Ofel and the southwest monsoon is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over several parts of the country, PAGASA said Thursday.

In its 24-hour forecast, the weather agency said the weather condition will be experienced in Metro Manila, Visayas, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The center of Ofel was last seen 340 kilometers west northwest of Tanauan City, Batangas or 250 km west of Subic, Zambales. It is moving west northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour and has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55kph.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers due to the northeasterly surface wind flow.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms and the southwest monsoon, PAGASA added.

The weather bureau advised affected residents to prepare for possible flash floods or landslides.

Moreover, moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough coastal water conditions will prevail in Northern and Central Luzon, the eastern section of Southern Luzon and the rest of Luzon.

Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate waters, meanwhile, will be experienced in Visayas and Mindanao.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News