The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains over parts of Luzon and Visayas on Friday, August 28, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5 a.m. weather forecast, PAGASA said the western section of Luzon is expected to be most affected, particularly the Ilocos Region, Bataan, Zambales, parts of Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Mindoro provinces.
Meanwhile, the state weather bureau is also monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) located about 720 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes, which has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
PAGASA said the system is not expected to make landfall in the Philippines and may move toward Taiwan. If it develops into a tropical cyclone within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will be named Pilandok.
As of 5 a.m., PAGASA had raised an Orange Heavy Rainfall Warning over Zambales, Batanes, Tarlac, Pampanga, and parts of Bulacan, while a Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning was in effect over Metro Manila, parts of Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija.
PAGASA said rainfall warnings are updated every three hours and warned residents in affected areas to remain alert for possible flooding and landslides.
A weather advisory indicated that rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters could be recorded in Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and parts of the Cordillera, particularly Benguet and La Union.
Meanwhile, other parts of Central Luzon, including Metro Manila, as well as Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Antique in Western Visayas, may receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain.
Palawan and the Visayas are expected to experience cloudy skies with rain and thunderstorms, while Mindanao may have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA expects the Habagat-enhanced rains to persist through Saturday and Sunday, particularly over the western sections of Luzon, including the Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Mindoro provinces.
The rains may gradually ease by Sunday afternoon or Monday.
Despite the weather conditions, PAGASA said no gale warning has been issued over the country's coastal waters. However, it advised small boat operators to remain cautious, as thunderstorms may cause sudden increases in wave height and sea conditions.
