Pagasa predicts rain-free holidays

Filipinos can expect a rain-free Christmas, according to the weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said good weather conditions are expected to prevail over the country in the next five days.

No weather disturbances are likely to affect the country in the coming days, based on latest forecasts.

In a telephone interview, weather forecaster Ludy Alviar said the northeast monsoon, locally known as “hanging amihan,” was moderate to strong, which will bring good and colder weather.

Reports said that in Southern Asia, the northeastern monsoon takes place from December to early March.

The temperature over central Asia is less than 25 degrees Celsius as it is the northern hemisphere winter, therefore creating a zone of high pressure there.

A high pressure area is associated with plenty of sunlight or good weather.

On the other hand, a low pressure area is commonly associated with bad weather.

A tropical storm, if on the sea, can be formed in such condition.

Meanwhile, Alviar said the Bicol region and the Visayas will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers due to the tail-end of a cold front affecting these areas.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds, blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough, Pagasa said.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the northeast and east with slight to moderate seas, Pagasa added.

A tropical storm is expected to hit the country this month, threatening areas in Southern Luzon and the Visayas, Pagasa said.

So far, 13 tropical storms have entered the country, short by seven from last year’s 20. — Helen Flores