Two weather systems are expected to bring rains over Luzon, including Metro Manila, posing a risk of flooding and landslides, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday.
The expected rainfall is attributed to the effects of the shearline and northeast monsoon, PAGASA said in its 5:00 a.m. press briefing.
Shearline, a zone where cold winds from the northeast monsoon and warm winds from the tropical Pacific converge, is expected to bring rain over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Aurora, Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro in the next 24 hours.
The same weather conditions may also affect Marinduque, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon may bring rain over Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Ecija, the Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon, with no significant impact expected.
The rest of the country is likely to experience fair and warm weather, with a chance of localized thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.
PAGASA said that while the country is being affected by Super El Niño, rainy conditions are still possible due to rain-bearing weather systems such as the northeast monsoon, shearline, Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), easterlies, and tropical cyclones.
However, rainfall is expected to be below average due to El Niño.
“People may think that it will no longer rain… However, because we experienced a very strong El Niño, rainfall could be lower than normal,” PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said during the press briefing.
He added that average temperatures in many areas are expected to be slightly elevated than normal, although cold surges from the northeast monsoon are still possible.
Between two and four tropical cyclones may also enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) through December. However, PAGASA had not monitored any tropical cyclones within PAR as of the forecast period. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
