Weather: Rain in Metro Manila not due to cyclone

The rain that fell on parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces Saturday is due to an inter-tropical convergence zone and not a cyclone, state weather forecasters said. In its Twitter account, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the rains are to be expected especially in the afternoon and evening. "Wala pong bagyo... ang intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) ang nagbibigay ng rain showers and thunderstorms," it said. PAGASA said thunderstorms have been noted in Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas; in Manila; and Quezon City. It also said thunderstorms are possible in Biac-na-Bato and San Ildefonso in Bulacan province. Meanwhile, weather site Typhoon2000 said the chances of a low-pressure area off Mindanao becoming a cyclone are at 50 percent as of 9 a.m. Saturday. Typhoon2000 added tropical cyclone formations are possible along the Western Pacific Ocean, (from the Philippine Sea to the Caroline Islands) between July 23 and 29. — LBG, GMA News