‘Habagat’ to prevail in Luzon, Visayas

Rains due to the southwest monsoon, or “hanging habagat,” will continue to affect the western section of Luzon and Visayas throughout the week.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said frequent rains is expected over Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, which could result to flash floods or landslides over low-lying areas or mountainous slopes.

Meanwhile, cloudy skies with occasional rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced over the rest of western Luzon, including Metro Manila and western Visayas.

The remaining areas in Luzon and Visayas and the whole of Mindanao will be mostly cloudy apart from early morning or afternoon rain showers and thunderstorms.

Due to the surge of “habagat,” a gale warning remains in effect as rough to very rough seas is expected over the western coastlines of Ilocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas and Palawan.

Likewise, rough to very rough seas is forecast in the northern and eastern seaboards of Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Babuyan group of islands, Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora.

PAGASA advised operators of fishing boats and other small sea crafts not to set sail into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.