No storm until Friday, but rains to continue

MANILA, Philippines — No tropical cyclone is expected to affect the country until Friday next week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

But PAGASA said a low-pressure area will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over the Zamboanga peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Negros provinces and Palawan today.

The weather system is likely to dissipate tomorrow, PAG-ASA said in its weekly weather outlook.

As of yesterday noon, the low-pressure area was located at 155 kilometers west of Zamboanga City.

The weather bureau also said a moderate surge of the southwest monsoon is expected tomorrow that will bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Zambales and the western section of Ilocos region.

From Monday to Wednesday, Batanes and the western section of Ilocos region will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms during the period.

By Thursday and Friday, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will temporarily weaken and the ridge of a high-pressure area will be the dominant weather system.

Generally fair weather will prevail over the country apart from some isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, the agency added.