Rains to persist next week in Mindanao, Visayas

Rainy weather conditions are expected to persist across several parts of the country over the next week as multiple weather systems including the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a possible low pressure area (LPA), and a frontal system bring scattered rains and thunderstorms.

According to the latest weather outlook of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the ITCZ will affect Mindanao, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Palawan from Saturday until Sunday, 25 May, bringing overcast skies and scattered thunderstorms. 

Residents, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas are advised to be alert for possible flash floods and landslides. 

Meanwhile, easterlies will dominate other areas of the country bringing partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated thunderstorms that may trigger brief but heavy rainfalls. 

By Monday and Tuesday, the ITCZ is expected to gradually weaken but lingering effects may still be felt in Palawan, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi while the rest of the archipelago will experience generally fair weather. 

A frontal system, which forms when warm and cold air masses meet, is also anticipated to affect Extreme Northern Luzon from Wednesday to Friday (28 to 30 May). Meanwhile, southwesterly winds will bring rain clouds to the Ilocos Region, Bataan, and Zambales.

PAGASA also noted the possibility of an LPA forming along the ITCZ during the forecast period.