The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued its weather forecast for August 13, 2024, highlighting the continued influence of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) over Luzon and the western section of Visayas. This monsoonal activity is expected to bring varied weather conditions across different regions of the country, with possible impacts on communities.
Tropical Cyclone Activity
As of 3:00 AM today, Tropical Storm Ampil (international name: 2407) remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It is located approximately 1,570 km east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, with coordinates at 23.5°N, 136.8°E. Ampil currently has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near its center and gustiness reaching up to 80 km/h. The storm is moving northeastward at a slow pace and is not expected to enter the PAR.
Forecast Weather Conditions
- Ilocos Region, Zambales, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands: These areas are forecasted to experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. Residents should be on alert for possible flash floods or landslides, especially in areas prone to these hazards.
- Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Western Visayas, and Negros Island Region: These regions will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon. While rainfall may be less frequent, severe thunderstorms could still trigger flash floods or landslides in vulnerable areas.
- The rest of the country: Localized thunderstorms are expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Similar to other regions, there remains a risk of flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.
Wind and Coastal Water Conditions
- Luzon: Winds will be light to moderate, coming from the southwest, with coastal waters expected to be slight to moderate, ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters.
- The rest of the country: Light to moderate winds from the south to southwest will prevail, with coastal waters similarly slight to moderate.
General Flood Advisories
Pagasa has issued general flood advisories for Region 1 (Ilocos Region) and Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) as of 6:00 AM today. Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions against potential flooding.
Overall, the Southwest Monsoon continues to be the primary weather driver, particularly for Luzon and the western sections of Visayas. The public is urged to stay updated with the latest weather bulletins and advisories from Pagasa.