Trough of tropical depression, shear line to bring rains across country — PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — The shear line and the trough of a tropical depression are expected to bring widespread rains across the Philippines on Sunday, December 22, according to the state weather bureau, PAGASA.

PAGASA reported that as of 3 a.m., the tropical depression was located 620 kilometers south of Kalayaan, Palawan, and was moving north-northeastward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum winds of 55 kph and gusts reaching up to 70 kph.

The shear line is expected to bring rain to Southern Luzon and the Visayas, while the northeast monsoon, locally known as "amihan," is forecast to bring rain to the rest of Luzon.

Due to the shear line, cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over the Visayas, Bicol Region, CALABARZON, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Dinagat Islands.

The trough of the tropical depression, on the other hand, is expected to bring cloudy skies, scattered rains, and thunderstorms to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The rest of Mindanao is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the same weather system.

PAGASA has warned residents in these areas of potential flash floods or landslides, caused by moderate to heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon are expected to experience cloudy skies with rain due to the amihan.

The rest of Luzon would likely experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains, also due to the amihan.