ITCZ slightly weakens but will still bring rain to parts of PH

Pagasa weather update. GRAPHICS BY INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) has slightly weakened, but it is still expected to bring rain to some parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Tuesday.

In the 5 a.m. weather forecast, Pagasa weather specialist Daniel James Villamil reported the slight weakening of the ITCZ, or the line where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet.

However, he added that the convergence of winds is still bringing thick clouds to the western part of the country, which is expected to cause rain.

READ: Onset of rainy season expected in early June — Pagasa

“Today, the ITCZ will bring a high chance of cloudiness and scattered thunderstorms over parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Western Visayas, and the Palawan area,” Villamil said.

“In the rest of Mindanao, the ITCZ is still prevailing, but generally fair weather is expected. This may be accompanied by isolated rain showers with thunder and lightning, especially in the afternoon until evening,” he added.

Meanwhile, extreme northern Luzon is likely to experience cloudy skies with rain showers due to the influence of a frontal system, or the boundary between warm and cold air masses.

READ: Pagasa: No tropical cyclone expected in PAR for rest of May

Villamil said hot weather would continue from morning until noon in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and the Visayas due to the easterlies, or warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean. However, sudden and brief rain showers may occur in these areas from afternoon to evening due to thunderstorms.

No low-pressure areas are currently being monitored inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, he added./mcm/abc