Rainy Christmas weekend expected

MANILA, Philippines - The weather bureau advised the public to bring umbrellas and sweaters when they attend the traditional Misa de Gallo or dawn Mass today as rains and cool weather will prevail over some parts of the country this weekend.

Aldzar Aurelio, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), yesterday said the northeast monsoon will bring rains over the eastern section of the country, particularly Cagayan, Isabela, Samar and Leyte.

The wind convergence, on the other hand, will dump rains over Mindanao, specifically Surigao and Agusan.

Aurelio said Metro Manila will also experience light rains today and on Christmas Day.

No tropical storm, however, was expected to prevail over the country in the next few days.

Aurelio said the areas affected by tropical storm Sendong” in the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, will also experience isolated rainshowers.

Sendong battered parts of the Visayas and Northern Mindanao last week, leaving over a thousand people dead.