Light rain showers, thunderstorms in Luzon this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Residents in Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience light rain showers and thunderstorms over the weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

PAGASA weather forecaster Obet Badrina said no weather system is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility, but the northeast monsoon will cause the light rains in Luzon.

The weather bureau said the easterlies will also bring cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago with slight moderate seas,” PAGASA said.

State weather forecasters earlier said drier weather will prevail in the country in the first half of the year due to the El Niño.

PAGASA’s climate impacts and monitoring section said about 68 provinces are likely to be hit by drought by the end of April.