Cloudy Skies, Isolated Rains to Persist Nationwide Due to Easterlies

The easterlies are expected to bring cloudy skies and isolated rains across the entire country starting Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its latest weather bulletin, the state weather bureau reported that the whole archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the prevailing wind system coming from the east.

Easterlies to Prevail Across Philippines

PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said the easterlies — warm winds originating from the Pacific Ocean — will continue to affect most parts of the country in the coming days.

“The easterlies remain the dominant weather system. They will bring cloudy skies and isolated rains in many areas, particularly in the afternoon or evening,” she said in a briefing.

The weather bureau earlier said the easterlies will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over parts of the country on Friday, and similar conditions are expected to persist into the following week.

No Low Pressure Area Expected

PAGASA added that no low pressure area (LPA) is being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of the latest advisory. This means the country will not experience any tropical cyclone in the immediate term.

“We are not seeing any weather disturbance that may develop into a storm in the next few days. The easterlies are the main system influencing our weather,” Castañeda said.

The absence of an LPA, however, does not rule out localized thunderstorms that could bring sudden heavy downpours, especially in the afternoon and evening, PAGASA noted.

Metro Manila and Nearby Areas

The National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces in Luzon are expected to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the easterlies.

PAGASA said these conditions are typical for this time of year, as the easterlies regularly affect the eastern sections of Luzon and the Visayas.

“Residents in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon should expect occasional rain showers, but these are generally light to moderate,” the weather bureau reported.

Visayas and Mindanao Forecast

In the Visayas, cloudy skies with isolated rains are expected, particularly in Eastern Visayas which directly faces the Pacific Ocean. The same goes for Mindanao, where the eastern portion will experience scattered showers.

PAGASA reminded the public that while the rain may be isolated, some areas could experience flash floods or landslides if the rains become heavy and persistent.

“We advise the public, especially those in mountainous areas, to stay alert. Localized thunderstorms can bring sudden heavy rain,” Castañeda said.

Temperature and Wind Forecast

PAGASA said temperatures across the country will remain warm, with Metro Manila expected to reach a high of 33 degrees Celsius and a low of 25 degrees Celsius.

In other parts of Luzon, temperatures may range from 23 to 33 degrees Celsius, while in the Visayas and Mindanao, temperatures will hover between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius.

Wind speeds are expected to be light to moderate, coming from the east to northeast in Luzon, and from the southeast to south elsewhere.

Coastal Waters Outlook

Sea conditions are forecast to be slight to moderate across the country. PAGASA said waves in the eastern seaboard may reach up to 2.5 meters, but no gale warning has been issued.

Fisherfolk and small boat operators are advised to take caution when venturing out to sea, but no major weather disturbance is expected to cause rough waters in the coming days.

Extended Outlook

PAGASA said the easterlies will likely continue to dominate the weather pattern throughout the week, with no sign of a significant weather system entering PAR within the next 48 to 72 hours.

The weather bureau said the public can expect mostly fair weather in the mornings, followed by increased cloudiness and rain in the afternoons and evenings.

“The pattern is typical for this season. We are transitioning into warmer months, and the easterlies are a normal part of our climate system,” Castañeda said.

PAGASA urged the public to stay updated through official social media channels for any changes in the weather forecast, especially as localized thunderstorms can develop quickly.

The state weather bureau will continue to monitor the easterlies and any potential weather disturbances that may affect the country in the coming weeks.