A 'rainy Christmas Day' likely in various parts of the Philippines, says PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — Various parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao could experience rains and thunderstorms come December 25 due to the combined effects of the shear line and northeast monsoon (hanging amihan).

State weather bureau PAGASA shared the weather forecast on Saturday as the country inches further into the year 2024.

"The shear line's effect is expected to gradually intensify  on Christmas Day itself and on Tuesday, December 26, which will dump rains on the eastern side of Quezon, Bicol Region, plus the eastern portion of Visayas, and even in the CARAGA region," said DOST-PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja in Filipino.

"In Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will persist in the next three days. Isolated light rains can be expected due to the northeast monsoon."

In the next three days, darks will likely persist in the Cordillera Administrative Region, including Baguio City, due to the effects of amihan.

Occassional heavy rains could also be expected around Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao. There will also be scattered and weaker rains around Abra and Benguet.

In Legazpi City, the strengthening of the northeast monsoon will slightly lower temperatures on both Christmas Day and Tuesday. There's a chance of scattered, light showers during this period as well.

The shear line could possibly return on December 27 and might bring scattered thunderstorms and rains in a huge part of Bicol, PAGASA said.

"In Metro Cebu... for the next few days, slight cloudyness and occassional cloudy conditions could be expected," Estaraje said.

"On Christmas eve and Christday Day, there's a huge chance of localized thunderstorms during afternoons and evenings. And on December 26, Tuesday, rainy conditions could already be experienced early in the morning."

In Metro Davao, during the extended weekend, anticipate partly cloudy mornings with occasional sunshine. There's a possibility of isolated thunderstorms, particularly at night until the early morning hours.

With the announcement on upcoming inclement weather, PAGASA said that a tropical cyclone is less likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility until the end of 2023.