Habagat to bring heavy rain across Luzon, Western Visayas next week

The southwest monsoon, or habagat, is set to intensify early next week, bringing heavy rains to a wider swath of Luzon and the western portion of the Visayas, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

Daniel Villamil, weather specialist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said during the 5 p.m. advisory that the enhanced monsoon could trigger heavy rainfall as early as Monday or Tuesday. The culprit is Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Saudel, which is tracking west northwestward just outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

“Since Typhoon Saudel is generally moving west northwestward, it is possible for it to pass along the northern boundary of our PAR. Even if it doesn't bring rain directly to us, it could pull in or intensify the southwest monsoon. This is possible as early as Monday or Tuesday next week,” Villamil said in Filipino.

As of 3 p.m., Saudel was estimated at 2,555 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, outside the PAR, moving northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour.

Which areas will feel the heaviest rain?

Villamil warned that the coming days will see more areas experiencing rainfall, particularly in Luzon, including Metro Manila, and parts of Western Visayas.

On Sunday, the habagat will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the rest of Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon.

Scattered rains are also expected over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Cagayan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga.

What about the tropical depression east of Eastern Visayas?

Meanwhile, a tropical depression located 1,055 km east of Eastern Visayas is likely to enter the PAR on Saturday evening. However, Villamil maintained that this system would not directly affect the country.

“It is less likely that a tropical cyclone wind signal will be raised. This is because, in the coming hours, the system is expected to immediately recurve northeastward, moving away from the PAR. While it may eventually intensify into a Tropical Storm, it is also possible that it will dissipate due to its interaction with the stronger Typhoon Saudel,” he explained.

What should residents prepare for?

For those in the affected areas, this means keeping the umbrellas handy and monitoring local advisories. The rest of the country, meanwhile, may experience localized thunderstorms, Pagasa reported.

As always, ingat sa mga kababayan natin. Let us stay dry and safe, and look out for one another as the rains come.