The state weather agency warned Thursday of continued heavy rains across various regions of the country due to the combined effects of a shearline and a low pressure area (formerly TD Querubin) near the Caraga Region.
PAGASA said that the low pressure area (LPA) could pass over Visayas, Mindanao, and even reach Palawan and the West Philippine Sea by the weekend.
“Dahil kapansin-pansin na gumaganda yung circulation nito at nananatili pa rin sa mainit na karagatan, mataas muli ang chance na itong low pressure area ay maging isang mahinang bagyo or tropical depression within the next 24 hours at papangalanan muli po na bagyong Querubin kung saka-sakali,” weather specialist Benison Estareja reported.
Estareja said the shearline—where the cool northeast monsoon (amihan) meets warmer air from the east—is causing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“Itong shearline ang linya kung saan nagtatagpo ang malamig na amihan at mainit na hangin galing sa silangan asahan pa rin ng mga pag-ulan doon. Dahil pa rin sa shearline, asahan pa rin ang maulang panahon sa may Bicol Region at sa bahagi ng Quezon, may mga kalat-kalat na ulan na minsan malalakas at mga thunderstorms kaya mag-ingat pa rin sa mga posibleng pagbaha at dahil saturated na o basang-basa na yung lupa, mataas din ang chance na nagkakaroon ng mga landslides,” Estareja explained.
The northeast monsoon continues to bring cool weather to much of Luzon. Residents in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, and some parts of Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon can expect cloudy skies and isolated rain showers.
Estareja advised residents to prepare for potential flash floods and landslides, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.
Heavy rains are expected in the eastern part of Visayas, with moderate to intense rainfall forecast in Eastern Samar. Capiz, Aklan, Cebu, and Bohol are also bracing for significant rainfall, with up to 100 mm of rain expected. Northern Negros Occidental may also see similar weather conditions.
The LPA’s proximity to the region means Mindanao will experience significant rainfall, especially in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, where up to 200 mm of rainfall is forecast. Caraga, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin may also receive 50 to 100 mm of rain.
Gale warnings are in effect for the coastal waters of extreme Northern Luzon, including the shores of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte, where waves could reach heights of up to five meters.
As the weekend approaches, weather conditions will remain challenging, especially in Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“At para naman sa huling weekend bago mag-Pasko, asahan pa rin ang mga pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Southern Luzon and Visayas dahil ito yung time kung saan dadaan na dito sa may Visayas, Mindanao area ang nasabing sama ng panahon, maaring nasa may area na ng Palawan and West Philippine Sea pagsapit ng weekend itong nasabing weather disturbance kaya magpapaulan pa rin ito sa ilang bahagi nga po ng Southern Luzon and Visayas. Pinakang uulan din itong Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon and Camarines Provinces,” he said.
