A low-pressure area (LPA) could form over the West Philippine Sea in the coming days and potentially pull the southwest monsoon, or habagat, farther away from the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the possible development may eventually weaken the habagat and bring a decrease in rainfall, particularly over western Luzon, where persistent monsoon rains have been recorded.
“Sa ngayon po wala tayong minomonitor na low-pressure area sa loob ng Philippine Area of Responsibility pero inaasahan natin na sa mga susunod na araw posibleng may mabuo na low-pressure area sa West Philippine Sea,” Badrina said.
He explained that should the disturbance develop and move westward, it could draw the habagat away from the Philippines.
“At once na mabuo po ito, posibleng ito yung maging dahilan kaya medyo hihina yung habagat kasi inaasahan natin na kapag mabuo yung low-pressure area ay kikilos ito pa-kanluran at hahatakin nito medyo palayo ng ating bansa yung habagat,” he said.
Badrina said rainfall could start easing as early as this weekend, particularly in western Luzon.
For now, however, PAGASA expects heavy monsoon rains in Zambales over the next 24 hours.
Metro Manila, the rest of Central Luzon, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro may continue to receive occasional light to moderate rains, with some periods of heavier rainfall possible.
The Visayas, the rest of Luzon, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao may experience cloudy skies accompanied by scattered rain showers.
Generally fair conditions are expected over the rest of Mindanao, although isolated rain showers or thunderstorms remain possible.
Badrina urged residents, particularly those in western Luzon, to remain cautious amid the continuing risk of weather-related hazards.
“Muli mag-ingat pa rin sa mga banta ng flash floods at landslides sa araw na ito partikular na sa kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon,” he said.