The dry or summer season could start by the third or last week of March.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Lanie Bitagun, the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will still prevail over parts of Luzon within the next few days.
The amihan will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains over Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands today.
Bitagun said another surge of amihan will affect Northern Luzon in the coming days but the temperature will not be as cold as the past weeks.
The amihan is gradually weakening and by the third or last week of March, Bitagun said PAGASA may declare the termination of the northeast monsoon season and the official onset of dry season in the country.
The end of amihan season follows the prevalence of weather systems associated with the warm weather, particularly the ridge of high pressure area and easterly winds.
Last year, PAGASA declared the end of amihan on April 10.
Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area around 1,060 kilometers east of General Santos City.
Bitagun said the LPA has a minimal chance of entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility or developing into a tropical cyclone.
However, the trough or extension of the LPA may bring isolated rain showers over eastern Mindanao.
PAGASA warned the public of sudden heavy rains due to severe thunderstorms that may cause flash floods over low-lying areas.
The rest of the country will have fair weather condition, Bitagun said. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)