Southern Palawan is expected to bear the brunt of intense rains this weekend due to the continuing presence of the shear line, a weather system formed by the convergence of the northeast monsoon and the easterlies, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.
The shear line is delivering moderate to heavy rainfall across sections of Palawan, particularly the southern municipalities, and may cause floods and landslides in low-lying or hilly regions, PAGASA cautioned in its most recent warning.
“Sa ating mga kababayan sa Palawan at malaking bahagi ng Visayas, magbaon ng payong kung lalabas ng bahay for today, dahil aasahan pa rin ang mga pag-ulan, dulot pa rin ng shear line o yung banggaan ng mainit at malamig na hangin,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said on Saturday.
Estareja noted that the southern part of Palawan would be experiencing the most strong rains, and there is a great probability that weather advisories or even warnings for excessive rainfall may be issued.
He recommends that residents be vigilant and keep a close eye on official information from the local disaster authorities.
Throughout the day, particularly from early morning until late afternoon, the remainder of Palawan may anticipate overcast skies and sporadic showers of rain, as the storm moves across the island. A alternative option is thunderstorms.
Estareja claims that the province’s unpredictable weather is a result of its position in the zone of convergence, where warm and cold winds meet.
This contrasts with much of Luzon, especially Metro Manila, where the fading amihan is still causing the weather to be cooler and cloudier.
The weather bureau said this pattern will persist till the start of the next week.
It is expected that isolated showers will persist in Palawan, Visayas, and areas of Mindanao from Sunday to Wednesday (March 23–26), despite the gradual return of hot and humid weather across the country brought about by the strong easterlies.
Palawan, along with provinces like as Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro, would still get occasional rainfall throughout this transition time. Estareja explained that this is despite the fact that the dry season is getting closer.
Since PAGASA lowered the gale warning, sea travel conditions have somewhat improved. However, until early next week, wave heights along the eastern seaboards are predicted to vary between 2 and 3 meters, thus fisherman and people in coastal Palawan are warned to exercise caution. By the middle of the week, the waters are expected to settle much further.
He added that the current surge of the northeast monsoon may be the last powerful burst that occurs before the beginning of the heated dry season would begin.
There is a possibility that amihan winds could return in April; however, it is not anticipated that they will be as powerful or continuous.
“Sa ngayon, wala tayong inaasahang bagyo hanggang katapusan ng Marso,” Estareja pointed out, adding that weather disturbances remain unlikely this month.
