Habagat dumping rains over Luzon; Possible cyclone afoot

MANILA, Philippines  — The southwest monsoon or habagat continued to set off rains over a large part of Luzon on Monday, while an impending tropical cyclone outside the Philippine area of responsibility made its approach.

Raymond Ordinario, a state weather bureau forecaster, said heavy clouds are hovering over a large part of Luzon area on Monday.

The monsoon is also expected to dump scattered rain showers and trigger thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Rizal, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

Northern Luzon, meanwhile, will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms for the rest of the day, specifically in Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora provinces.

Concerned over the safety of students bound to travel to schools during inclement weather, a few Northern Luzon provinces such as Pangasinan, La Union and Benguet have called off classes. (View LIVE updates on class suspensions here.)

The pressure area over the Pacific Ocean is still outside the Philippine vicinity but is likely to gain strength as it makes its way toward the area.

The brewing cyclone is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday.