Saturday summer showers catch Pinoys by surprise

Sudden downpours caught many residents of Metro Manila off guard on Saturday afternoon as isolated rain showers and thunderstorms occurred in parts of Luzon.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) , the weather disturbances were caused by easterlies or warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean.

In PAGASA’s weather bulletin issued 5 p.m. on Saturday, fair weather in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon was preeicted for Sunday. However, localized thunderstorms may still bring short heavy rainfall from late afternoon to evening, lasting from 30 minutes to an hour.

Similar isolated rain showers may occur on Sunday in Visayas due to easterlies. Over in Mindanao, PAGASA warned of scattered rain showers and thunderstorms brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone which could lead to heavier rains across the region.

On 4 April, PAGASA officially declared the end of La Niña conditions in the country, noting that rainfall levels are expected to return to normal in the coming months.

According to the state weather bureau, surface temperature anomalies reached neutral levels which are likely to persist until the September-October-November season of this year.

The public is advised to observe precautionary measures amid the ongoing warm and dry season.