Pagasa declares start of Southwest Monsoon, rains expected across Luzon

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has officially declared the start of the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, which is a precursor to the rainy season in the Philippines.

Pagasa Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando stated that the weakening of the Easterlies, combined with persistent low-level southwesterly winds over western Luzon, indicates the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon.

Yellow rainfall advisories were issued over Bataan and Zambales, with projections of 100 to 200 mm of rainfall over Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Zambales by Saturday.

Metro Manila can expect light to moderate rain to persist through the weekend, and Baguio City is forecast to experience cloudy weather with rains until Tuesday, June 3.

Pagasa noted that the official declaration of the rainy season could follow within one to two weeks, and conditions consistent with the habagat are expected to continue across large parts of Luzon.