Clear skies in Mindanao until weekend – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines -  The areas in Mindanao hit by flooding on Thursday can expect clear skies until weekend.

 The tail-end of a cold front affecting the area has weakened, Rene Paciente,  Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) senior weather forecaster, said yesterday.

 At least 43 families were evacuated from their homes in Maitum and Kiamba towns in Sarangani due to flashfloods after two rivers overflowed on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, Paciente said the northeast monsoon would bring cloudy skies with light rains over Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras this weekend. 

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have fair weather.

 PAGASA said moderate to rough seas are expected in Luzon, the Visayas and Eastern Mindanao due to the northeast monsoon.

 Although higher temperatures were recorded in parts of the country, PAGASA said summer or the dry season has not yet started.

“The dry season may start in the third week of March once the northeast monsoon ends,” he said.

 PAGASA said easterlies or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean should be the dominant weather system before the start of the dry season could be declared.