Cloudy skies, rain expected on SONA day -- PAGASA

MANILA, July 28 (PNA) -- Possible rains will continue to be experienced in many parts of the country Monday as President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to deliver his 5th state-of-the-nation address (SONA) in the afternoon before the joint session of the 17th Congress, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Meno Mendoza said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains will be experienced in the afternoon or evening in Metro Manila today due to southwest monsoon.

Mendoza said southwest monsoon or "hanging habagat" continues to be the dominant weather system -- which is associated with the occurrence of intermittent to continuous rains -- is the prevailing wind system during the rainy season.

He said the low pressure area hovering over the eastern part of the country is expected to intensify into tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.

Mendoza said that as of 4 a.m. the LPA was spotted some 940 km east of southern Luzon.

He added once it develop into tropical depression inside the country it will be locally named "Inday" -- the ninth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

Mendoza said due to the trough or extended cloudiness of LPA it will bring rains over Bicol region and Visayas.

The rest of Luzon including Metro Manila, will be partly cloudy with possible passing rains in the afternoon or evening due to localized thunderstorms.

For Monday forecast, PAGASA said that Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, 

Romblon and Palawan, Bicol region and Visayas will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

The state weather bureau also issued gale warning as strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of southwest monsoon and the LPA which is affecting western seaboard of Luzon and eastern seaboard Visayas and Mindanao

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it warned

PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. (PNA)
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