Tropical depression “Ester” officially exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday morning, but state meteorologists warned that the enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring heavy rain over the western parts of the country.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Ester left the country’s borders at 8 a.m. Its center, as of 11 a.m., was spotted 550 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

Moving east-northeastward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), the depression maintained maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 55 kph. Ester is tracking toward the East China Sea and is expected to weaken into a post-tropical low by Sunday morning.

Despite Ester’s exit, the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, continues to dictate the weather across Northern and Central Luzon.

The combined effects of recent weather systems officially ushered in the country’s rainy season on Thursday, prompting PAGASA to temporarily suspend its daily heat index forecasts until the dry months return next year.

Flood notices

PAGASA forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall measuring 50 to 100 millimeters over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales through Sunday noon.

Occasional rains will persist over the Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan, posing risks of flash floods and rain-induced landslides.

PAGASA maintained General Flood Advisories for the Ilocos Region and neighboring provinces, where disaster risk reduction councils and residents near mountain slopes and major river systems, including the Abra, Laoag, and Amburayan rivers, are urged to take precautionary measures against rising waters.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

Marine conditions also remain hazardous in the north. Rough seas with waves reaching up to 3 meters are expected over the seaboards of Batanes and the northern coast of the Babuyan Islands.

Operators of small seacraft and motor bancas are advised to stay in port, while larger vessels should navigate with extreme caution.