MANILA – The Philippines is bracing for continued downpours as three distinct weather systems converge, bringing widespread rain across the nation, according to the latest forecast from the national weather bureau. The shear line, easterlies, and the northeast monsoon, or ‘amihan,’ are set to drench various regions with varying intensities of rain.
The shear line is expected to cause scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms in the Visayas, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, Quezon, and Davao Oriental. More intense rainfall is anticipated in Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, where heavy to intense rains are forecast. Moderate to heavy rains are also expected in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Samar, Biliran, and Leyte.
The easterlies will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will dominate in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Calabarzon, and Aurora, leading to widespread rain.
The weather bureau warns that the moderate to heavy rains could trigger flash floods and landslides in affected areas. The rest of Luzon will see isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon, while the rest of Mindanao will experience isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies.
Severe thunderstorms could also lead to flash floods or landslides. Strong winds and rough coastal waters are expected in the northern and eastern sections of Luzon, with moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas in the rest of Luzon and the eastern sections of the Visayas and Mindanao. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.
No low pressure areas are currently monitored for potential tropical cyclone development, according to the weather bureau.