ITCZ to bring rains to Mindanao and Palawan

Rains and thunderstorms may persist across Palawan and Mindanao due to the prevalence of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), or the area where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Ariel Rojas said the ITCZ may bring cloudy skies with rains and thunderstorms over Palawan, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

The same will likely persist in Palawan until Tuesday, and over parts of Mindanao until Wednesday.

Cebu province may also be affected by the ITCZ on Monday, Rojas said.

Warm and humid weather will continue over the rest of the country due to the ridge of high pressure area and easterly winds.

Both weather systems will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon or evening, until Wednesday.

Rojas said the country will be cyclone-free for the next two to three days.

However, he advised the public to take extra precautions in the event of severe thunderstorms as flashfloods or landslides are possible over low-lying or mountainous communities.

Thunderstorms are manifested by heavy rains that may last up to two hours, gusty winds, and thunder and lightning.

PAGASA noted that the humid weather and frequent occurrence of thunderstorms are just two manifestations that the country is transitioning to the southwest monsoon or "habagat" period, associated with the rainy season.