The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, is being amplified by Severe Tropical Storm Francisco, which is expected to bring rainfall across several regions of the country starting Sunday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 4:00 a.m., the weather bureau located the storm 1,315 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon. Francisco currently holds maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 125 kph.
The combined weather systems will bring cloudy skies and scattered thunderstorms to vast areas of the country’s southern regions, while the capital remains relatively clear.
“Dahil sa pinagsamang epekto ng trough or extension ng bagyong ito as well as yung pinapairal na southwest monsoon o habagat, makakaranas tayo ng maulap na kalangitan ang kalat-kalat na pag-ulan na pagkulog at pagkidlat sa malaking bahagi ng southern Luzon, Visayas at sa Mindanao,” PAGASA weather forecaster Dan Villamili said in an radio interview with DZMM.
“Samantala, sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon, magpapatuloy ang maaliwalas na panahon ngayong araw. Bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na papawirin, pero and’yan pa rin yung tsansa ng mga biglaan at panandaliang pag-ulan dulot ng localized thunderstorm,” he added.
Tracking west-northwestward, the severe tropical storm is projected to skip direct landfall. However, it is expected to edge closer to the northern tip of Luzon by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Weather officials warned that coastal and northern communities should prepare for potential wind warnings in the near future.
“In the coming days…posible po tayong magkaroon ng wind signal over some portions ng Cagayan Valley,” he added.
PAGASA noted that Francisco is on track to gather more strength and could escalate into a full-blown typhoon within the day.