Weather Today – February 23, 2018

A Low Pressure Area (LPA) was spotted at 1,105 km east of Mindanao. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Sheilla Reyes, the said weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) anytime today.

The probability for this LPA to develop into a Tropical Cyclone remains slim, but as it moves closer to the country’s premises, its trough or extension will affect portions of Mindanao. Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Caraga and Davao.

Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon or Hanging Amihan will bring chances of isolated light rains in Ilocos Norte, Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands. Metro Manila and the remaining parts of the archipelago can expect generally fair weather apart from isolated thunderstorms in the latter part of the day. The Amihan also affects the sea condition in the northern and western sections of Northern Luzon, where rough to very rough seas are expected.

Scorching heat was felt yesterday in some parts of the country. Here are the highest temperatures recorded by PAGASA:

Cotabato City – 35.7 degrees Celsius
Zamboanga City – 35 degrees Celsius
Subic Bay, Zambales – 34.9 degrees Celsius

Today, warm and humid weather will persist in the eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas due to the Easterlies. While temperatures continue to escalate, PAGASA clarifies that the tag-init season has yet to be declared. Two of the major factors to be observed before the termination of the Northeast Monsoon include the establishment of High Pressure Area and changes in the wind pattern.