Tropical Storm Maria monitored outside PAR; Habagat brings scattered rains over Luzon, Metro Manila

PAGASA is monitoring Tropical Storm Maria located about 2,230 kilometers east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon as of Thursday.

The cyclone is moving east northeastward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness up to 80 km/h; it remains outside the Philippine area of responsibility and poses no immediate threat.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains over Northern and Central Luzon on Thursday, affecting various parts of the country.

The Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon may experience moderate to heavy rains leading to flash floods or landslides due to thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and other regions will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers, with the possibility of severe weather conditions causing flash floods or landslides.

Light to moderate winds moving in a southeast to southwest direction and slight to moderate coastal waters are expected throughout the Philippines.