Weather Today – July 19, 2017 | No “bagyo” but rains prevail

In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robert “Obet” Badrina said no weather disturbance or tropical cyclone is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). However, the active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will continue to bring rains in most parts of the archipelago.

The ITCZ, where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet, prevails in Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in Visayas, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon. Metro Manila and the remaining parts of the country can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of rain showers or thunderstorms.

During the rainy season, the Southwest Monsoon or Hanging Habagat is usually dominant. But this year, the Habagat’s effect is observed only in the coastal waters and not in our landmass. Badrina explained that the absence of a weather disturbance influences the intensity of Habagat in our country. Once a tropical cyclone develops again within our premises, it may trigger the enhancement of the Southwest Monsoon.

Although PAGASA did not issue a gale warning, moderate to occasionally rough seas are expected in the western section of Luzon. The rest of the country will have slight to moderate seas, making sea travel safe for fishing boats and other small seacraft.