Rainfall to Spread Across More Regions on Thursday

MANILA – The weather bureau announced on Thursday that an increased number of regions will see rainfall due to the combined effects of the shear line, easterlies, and the northeast monsoon, known locally as ‘amihan’. The shear line is expected to cause scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms in the Bicol Region, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, and Northern Samar. Meanwhile, the easterlies will bring rainy conditions to Soccsksargen, Davao Region, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that these areas might experience moderate to heavy rains, which could lead to flash floods or landslides. In other parts of the country, the northeast monsoon will bring light rains to Cagayan Valley and Aurora, and isolated light rains to Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon. PAGASA also forecasts isolated rain showers or thunderstorms across the rest of the country due to the easterlies, with a risk of severe thunderstorms causing flash floods or landslides. The entire archipelago will experience light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas. No low pressure areas were reported that could develop into tropical cyclones, according to PAGASA.