Rains to persist across Philippines due to Southwest Monsoon

Many parts of the country can expect overcast skies on Friday due to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, weather service PAGASA said.

In separate bulletins issued 4 p.m., PAGASA said Typhoon Dolphin was last located 925 km northeast of extreme northern Luzon. Its tail is set to trigger cloudy skies and scattered rains in Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

Despite Dolphin being outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it is strengthening the impact of the Southwest Monsoon.

“Sa mga susunod na araw, even sa early next week ay patuloy pa rin ang impluwensiya ng Habagat, lalo na po sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon, at ganoon din sa western section ng Visayas,” PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said.

(In the following days, even early next week, the Southwest Monsoon’s influence will continue, especially over a large part of Luzon and the western section of Visayas.)

The state weather bureau said Mindoro Occidental, Zambales, and Bataan can expect continuous rains due to the Habagat.

These areas are warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to heavy rains.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon will also impact Metro Manila, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique.

These areas should expect occasional rains, with possible floods and landslides.

The rest of Luzon and Visayas can expect overcast skies and scattered rains because of the monsoon, while Mindanao might experience localized thunderstorms.

Due to the continuous monsoon rains, PAGASA has issued a heavy rainfall advisory effective Friday night to Saturday afternoon over the following areas:

• 100 mm - 200 mm: Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro
• 50 mm - 100 mm:: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique

— VDV/VBL, GMA News