Weather disturbance may dampen Christmas

MANILA, Philippines — A potential weather disturbance may affect Christmas week conditions in parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned yesterday.

PAGASA said a tropical cyclone-like vortex will emerge over the southeastern section of the Philippine area of responsibility during the period from Dec. 19 to 25.

The agency stressed that the system has a low likelihood of tropical cyclone formation, adding that no low-pressure area is expected to form or enter the Philippine domain from Dec. 12 to 18.

While the potential threat of a tropical cyclone remains unlikely, the bureau said any changes in the forecast pattern will be closely monitored and updates will be issued as needed.

Meanwhile, cloudy and rainy conditions may prevail across the country due to the combined effects of three weather systems, based on PAGASA’s 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. yesterday.

Metro Manila and the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Bulacan and Cavite may experience cloudy skies with rains brought about by the northeast monsoon, which could trigger possible flash floods or landslides.

The same system is expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains, at times isolated, over the Ilocos and Cordillera regions, as well as Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Tarlac and Bataan.

PAGASA said the shear line may cause cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Quezon, Rizal, Batangas and Laguna.

The rest of the country may generally experience fair weather, with chances of clouds, rain and thunderstorms due to the easterlies.

Winds over Northern Luzon may be strong, with rough coastal waters and wave heights ranging from 2.8 to 4.5 meters.

The rest of Luzon and the eastern sections of the Visayas may see moderate to strong winds and seas, while the rest of the country is expected to have light to moderate winds and coastal conditions.

PAGASA also noted cooler temperatures in Metro Manila, with the lowest recorded at 22 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. and the highest at 27.4 degrees Celsius at 11 a.m. yesterday, following daylong rains.