PAGASA: Gloomy weather expected over weekend

Gloomy weather is expected this weekend in Cebu due to effects of enhanced Southwest monsoon or locally known as Habagat, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) official in Mactan.

PAGASA-Cebu officerin-charge Alfredo Quiblat Jr. said the strength of Habagat has intensified because of the presence of weather disturbances near the country.

He said one is a tropical storm named “Karding” which is hovering in the eastern part within the Philippine Area of Responsibility while the other one is a tropical depression travelling in the west but outside PAR.

He said Karding was last spotted on Friday morning about 1,050 kilometers east of Basco town, Batanes, moving in a northwest direction at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It was forecasted to travel the Philippine seas in the northeast and leave PAR Friday evening or Saturday early morning.

Meanwhile, Quiblat said the tropical depression outside PAR was spotted on Friday morning about 1,180 kilometers west of extreme Northern Luzon. He explained that though these two rain-inducing systems do not directly disrupt the country’s weather conditions, but it pulls the southwest monsoon and enhances its strength.

Quiblat said that Cebu province is predicted to experience cloudy skies, isolated rains and thunderstorms. He said thunderstorms are expected to be frequent this season, particularly in August and September. PAGASA Mactan records the most thunderstorm occurrences in these months.

Quiblat also warned that the enhanced Southwest monsoon may bring strong winds to Cebu’s coast that will generate huge waves and may be risky for small vessels or boats to sail. The condition may persist over the weekend.

He, however, said the gloomy weather may prevail in the succeeding days if another weather system will develop. Quiblat said the weather bureau is also monitoring a Low Pressure Area outside PAR about 2,600 kilometers east of Luzon.

He said PAGASA is still observing its track or movement to determine whether it will enter PAR.

The weather disturbance, especially the impacts of strong Southwest monsoon, may affect fishing and sea travels. —

FPL

May B. Miasco/