PAGASA: 'Good weather' to last at least 1 week

Except for parts of extreme northern Luzon, the country can expect a one-week break from cyclones for at least one week, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Tuesday. But PAGASA admitted there is always a possibility of a low-pressure area (LPA) suddenly forming to the eastern part of the country. "Wala tayong nakikitang anumang weather system na nakakaapekto sa Pilipinas, maliban sa southwest monsoon na nakakaapekto sa extreme Northern Luzon. May posibilidad (na) almost one week maganda ang panahon dito sa Luzon pwera sa extreme north Luzon (For now we do not see any weather disturbance that can affect the country for a week, except for Extreme Northern Luzon. It is quite possible we can have good weather for almost one week)," PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said there has been no sighting so far of any low-pressure area that may intensify into a cyclone. The country is still reeling from the effects of Tropical Storm Falcon (Meari) and floods brought by the southwest monsoon to northern Luzon. Mendoza also said there is a possibility of an LPA suddenly forming in the eastern part of Luzon, the Visayas or Mindanao. "Biglaan kasi ang sumusulpot. Isang araw pwede may sumulpot sa eastern part of Luzon, eastern part of Visayas, lalo sa Mindanao (LPAs just form quickly. We may see an LPA suddenly form off the eastern parts of Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao)," he said. PAGASA's 5 a.m. Tuesday bulletin said the southwest monsoon is still affecting extreme northern Luzon. "Extreme northern Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening," it said. PAGASA added that moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest will prevail over northern Luzon and coming from the east to southeast over the rest of Luzon. — RSJ, GMA News