Rains, cloudy weather to greet devotees in traslacion

Cloudy skies with scattered rains are expected over parts of the country today as millions of devotees take part in the annual traslacion of the Black Nazarene, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

In its 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, PAGASA said a shear line affecting Southern Luzon, the northeast monsoon or amihan prevailing over most of Luzon, and easterlies influencing other areas will bring generally unsettled weather conditions.

The weather bureau said the Bicol Region, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan and Northern Samar may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms due to the shear line, with moderate to at times heavy rainfall possibly triggering flash floods or landslides.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Region, the rest of Central Luzon and the remaining areas of Calabarzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains caused by the northeast monsoon. PAGASA said no significant weather impacts are expected in these areas.

In a separate special weather forecast, PAGASA noted that weather conditions in Metro Manila will remain generally cloudy throughout the day, with rain chances increasing from late moming to early afternoon.

Rainfall probability is forecast at around 10 percent from midnight to midmorning, before rising to 50 percent between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., when strong northeast winds are also expected.