Rainy Christmas in Metro, Luzon — Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Christmas Day will be rainy in the western section of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

It is due to the northeast monsoon, according to Robert Sawi, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) senior weather forecaster.

The rest of Luzon and eastern Visayas will have occasional light rains, while the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao can expect cloudy skies with passing light rains, he added.

PAGASA issued a yellow rainfall alert over Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Quezon, Bataan, Southern Zambales and Bulacan at 9 a.m. yesterday.

Residents in low-lying areas were warned against possible flooding.

A yellow rainfall warning is issued when heavy rains (7.5 to 15 millimeters) are expected to affect an area in the next two hours.

Sawi told The STAR a low-pressure area off the Pacific Ocean was forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow.

“The low-pressure area will enter the Philippine area of responsibility on the 26th but it won’t affect the country yet,” he said.

The weather system would start bringing rains over the southern Philippines on Sunday or Monday, Sawi said.

PAGASA said the low-pressure area has a slim chance of intensifying into a cyclone.