PAGASA: Expect afternoon rain for rest of August

At least until the end of August, Filipinos can expect rain showers in the afternoon due to an inter-tropical convergence zone. The Department of Science and Technology also said a high-pressure ridge affecting the Luzon area is keeping the monsoon from becoming active. "Pagdating ng hapon may pulo-pulong ulan. Pag ganitong ITCZ, kadalasan ito nangyayari... sa buwan na ito," Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio Thursday. He said there is still no cyclone detected in the Philippine area of responsibility at this time. For his part, DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said a high-pressure ridge affecting Luzon is keeping the monsoon relatively dormant. Yumul said this is also limiting the amount of rain in parts of the country, adding August has been considered one of the wettest months of the year. "The high-pressure ridge is supposed to affect the Pacific Ocean but it is affecting Luzon and has remained in place. That is why we are not getting much rain," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. He advised Filipinos to schedule their outdoor activities in the morning as rain usually comes in the afternoon. Meanwhile, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said: "The whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with scattered to widespread rains over the western section of Southern Luzon." The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate, PAGASA added. — LBG, GMA News