The rainy season may officially be declared this week as the southwest monsoon is expected to begin affecting parts of Luzon and Western Visayas.
This seasonal weather pattern typically signals the onset of more frequent rain showers and thunderstorms in these regions.
In addition, a frontal system is forecast to influence weather conditions over Extreme Northern Luzon from Tuesday through Friday, according to ABS-CBN resident weather forecaster Ariel Rojas. These developments suggest a shift toward wetter conditions across several areas of the country.
The aforementioned weather systems are expected to bring scattered to widespread monsoon rains accompanied by gusty winds across several regions, including Ilocos, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and the western portions of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON throughout the week.
Meanwhile, other areas in Luzon may experience generally overcast skies with occasional rain showers and gusty conditions. Most parts of the Visayas are also likely to see increased rainfall by the weekend as the southwest monsoon continues to intensify its influence.
Areas affected by the southwest monsoon, also called Habagat, should prepare for possible flooding and landslides, as the heavy and sustained rains may lead to hazardous conditions, especially in low-lying and mountainous regions.
In Mindanao, residents can expect intense thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours, a common weather pattern during this time of year.
For Metro Manila, the forecast indicates sunny intervals in the morning and around midday from Monday to Wednesday, followed by potential thunderstorms in the late afternoon or evening. Later in the week, weather conditions are expected to shift, with mostly cloudy skies and scattered rain showers likely from Thursday onward.