ITCZ spells rain today

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will continue to persist in Southern Luzon and Visayas today.

Obet Badrina of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.

PAGASA defined ITCZ as a series of low pressure areas brought about by the convergence of northeast and southeast winds that cause thunderstorms and rain showers.

It said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, the low pressure area off the West Philippine Sea or outside the country's area of responsibility has intensified into a tropical cyclone on Saturday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

However, the cyclone is not expected to enter the Philippines and affect any part of the country as it moves to China.

Badrina said the country will experience improving weather by Monday except for isolated rain showers or thunderstorms especially in the afternoon or evening.