The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a weather forecast detailing the prevailing conditions across the archipelago. The synopsis reveals that the Northeast Monsoon is currently influencing Northern and Central Luzon, while the Easterlies are affecting the rest of the country.
Mindanao is anticipated to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Easterlies. This weather pattern could potentially lead to flash floods or landslides, given the moderate to heavy rains expected in the area.
Moving to Cagayan Valley, Aurora, and Quezon, the Northeast Monsoon is causing cloudy skies with rains. Similar to Mindanao, residents in these regions should be vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides resulting from moderate to heavy rains.
In Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon and CALABARZON, the Northeast Monsoon will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Fortunately, this is not expected to have any significant impact on the affected areas.
For the rest of the country, including Visayas, Palawan, Kalayaan Islands, and Occidental Mindoro, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are forecast due to the influence of Easterlies and Localized Thunderstorms. Residents should remain cautious, as severe thunderstorms could potentially result in flash floods or landslides.
The wind and coastal water conditions vary across regions. Northern Luzon will experience strong winds from the Northeast, leading to rough coastal waters. The rest of Luzon will have moderate to strong winds, while the rest of the country will experience light to moderate winds. Coastal waters will range from rough to slight, depending on the region.
The regional forecast, issued at 5:00 AM and valid until 5:00 AM on January 3, 2024, reiterates the influence of the Northeast Monsoon in Northern and Central Luzon and the Easterlies in the rest of the country. Visayas, Palawan, including Kalayaan Islands, and Occidental Mindoro will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, accompanied by moderate to strong winds in specific areas.
As the day unfolds, residents are advised to stay updated with the latest weather bulletins and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety amid these varied weather conditions across the Philippines.