Rain, thunderstorms threaten New Year

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms across parts of the country during the New Year celebration due to the combined effects of the shear line, the northeast monsoon and the easterlies.

PAGASA said Quezon and Camarines Norte may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms on New Year’s Eve as the shear line interacts with local weather systems.

The Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon are expected to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon.

Meanwhile, the Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Palawan may see scattered thunderstorms. Metro Manila and other parts of the country could experience isolated rainshowers caused by the easterlies.

Weather conditions on Jan. 1 are forecast to remain largely the same.