Monsoon rains expected across northern Philippines Thursday

MANILA — Filipinos in Northern and Central Luzon should prepare for wet weather as the northeast monsoon, locally known as the amihan, intensifies across the archipelago Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration reported.

Pagesa's early morning forecast indicated that cloudy skies with scattered to occasional rains will affect Northern and Central Luzon throughout the day. The northeast monsoon system is expected to dominate weather patterns in these regions, potentially causing localized flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous terrain.

Meanwhile, easterly wind patterns will continue to influence weather conditions across the remainder of the country, maintaining partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers. Residents in the Visayas, Mindanao, and southern portions of Luzon should remain alert to changing conditions despite generally lighter rainfall expectations.

Pagesa advised the public to monitor further weather updates and heed all weather-related advisories from local government units. Motorists and sea travelers are urged to exercise caution given reduced visibility and potentially rough seas in affected areas.