Rainy weekend over Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical depression Betty, which has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA), will continue to bring rains over most parts of Luzon this weekend.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said light to moderate rains are expected in Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Metro Manila.

The weather system started dumping rains over the Bicol region and Quezon province yesterday, the state weather bureau said.

PAGASA said the LPA was 510 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon as of 10 a.m. yesterday.

The agency warned the public against going out in the seaboards of eastern Luzon due to moderate to rough sea conditions.

Vernal equinox

Meanwhile, the country will experience today the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere.

The days will start to become longer than nights after the vernal equinox, according to PAGASA.

PAGASA said the sun would reach the vernal equinox at 6:45 a.m. today.

Despite the warm temperature in the past several days, the weather bureau has yet to declare the start of summer in the country.

PAGASA declares the start of the dry season once the easterlies, or the warm air blowing from the Pacific Ocean, becomes the dominant weather system.