PAGASA forecasts rains in seven regions until mid-December

MANILA — The government weather agency expects wet condition throughout seven regions of the country until next week, forecasting rains during the period.

In its Dec. 11-20 agri-weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said wet soil is likely across Southern Luzon’s regions IV-A, IV-B and V; Regions VI, VII and VIII in the Visayas; and the National Capital Region.

Expected maximum rainfall during the period are 400millimeters in the eastern part of Region IV-A; 75 millimeters in the western portion also of Region IV-A; 250 millimeters in Region IV-B; 400 millimeters in Region V; 145 millimeters in Region VI; 75 millimeters in Region VII; and 300 millimeters in Region VIII.

“Scattered rain showers or thunderstorms are expected in Southern Luzon and the Visayas due to possible development of a low-pressure area (LPA),” PAGASA said in its forecast.

PAGASA also expects wet soil conditions across the National Capital Region where the agency forecast for the period, rainfall of up to 75 millimeters.

Aside from the LPA, PAGASA said in its agri-weather forecast that the northeast monsoon and tail-end of a cold front are weather systems that will affect the country during the reference period.

“Winds from the northeast will blow over the entire archipelago,” said PAGASA.

Coastal waters over Luzon’s northern and eastern sections “will be moderate to rough throughout the forecast period while the rest of the country will have slight to moderate seas,” PAGASA continued.

According to PAGASA, the LPA’s location as of 10 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 13) was at 410 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar province.

“This weather system is expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the Visayas,” PAGASA said in its 10:30 a.m. weather advisory released Saturday.

PAGASA warned such rains may trigger flash floods and landslides.

“The regions of CARAGA and Bicol will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms,” said PAGASA.

Northern and Central Luzon including Metro Manila will have cloudy skies with light rains due to the northeast monsoon, PAGASA continued.

PAGASA forecast wet soil in some parts of Northern Luzon’s Region II, Region III in Central Luzon as well as Mindanao’s regions IX and XI.

These areas are Region II’s Itbayat in Batanes province and Aparri in Cagayan province; Region III’s Aurora province; Region IX’s Zamboanga del Norte province; and Central Davao in Region IX.

Forecast maximum rainfall in these areas are 145 millimeters in Itbayat and Aparri; 400 millimeters in Aurora; and 145 millimeters both in Zamboanga del Norte and Central Davao.

“Northern Luzon will have cloudy skies with light rain showers due to enhancement of the northeast monsoon,” PAGASA said.

PAGASA also expects moist soil conditions in Mindanao’s Bukidnon province in Region X and Maguindanao province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Maximum rainfall will likely reach 145 millimeters in Bukidnon and 50 millimeters in Maguindanao, PAGASA added.