Metro Manila, Philippines — Rains are expected to continue over the weekend as three weather disturbances enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday.
“Itong si bagyong Saola (formerly Goring), Severe Tropical Storm Hanna, at isa pang severe tropical storm sa malayong parte ng ating Pacific Ocean ay nageehance po ng habagat o southwest monsoon lalo na dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a 5 a.m. briefing
[Translation: Typhoon Saola, Severe Tropical Storm Hanna, and another severe tropical storm at the far part of the Pacific Ocean are enhancing the southwest monsoon especially in most parts of Luzon.]
In the next three days, Estareja said monsoon rains are expected over the Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Calamian Islands, Antique, Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.
PAGASA reminded the public to remain vigilant as the rains may cause floods and landslides.
Meanwhile, the agency said Hanna is forecast to intensify into a typhoon on Friday as it maintained its strength over the Philippine Sea.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Hanna will remain far from the Philippine landmass. The raising of storm signals also remains unlikely, Estareja added.
Hanna was last spotted 870 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
It was moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea, picking up speed at 20 kph from its previous 15 kph movement.
The weather bureau said Hanna is forecast to leave PAR Sunday morning.PAGASA is also monitoring cloud clusters east of the country that may form into a low pressure area within 24 hours. Over the weekend, it is projected to develop into a tropical depression, Estareja said.
