Fair weather expected in time for opening of classes

Local

A BREAK from the rains may be the welcome students need as they return to school next week.

As public schools officially reopen on Monday, June 16, weather across Cebu and much of Central Visayas is expected to ease, with generally fair skies forecast at the start of the week, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Weather specialist Jhomer Eclarino of Pagasa Visayas said a tropical depression, formerly a low-pressure area (LPA), which recently exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), is no longer expected to disrupt local weather conditions by Monday. This system, along with the southwest monsoon or habagat, previously brought days of heavy rains and flooding to Cebu.

For Monday, Cebu’s temperature is expected to range between 27 to 32 degrees Celsius, with light to moderate winds from the southeast to northeast, and slight to moderate sea conditions.

Pagasa’s weekend outlook also showed improving conditions:

Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 will see partly cloudy skies with chances of isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Similar conditions are expected to continue from June 16 to June 18, supporting a relatively stable return to school activities.

Despite the fair weather, Pagasa continues to urge the public, especially those in flood- and landslide-prone areas, not to be complacent.

The rainy season has officially begun, and flash floods or landslides remain possible.

“Padayon ta pag-monitor. Dili ta pakumpyansa kay onset na sa rainy season,” Eclarino warned.

He added that one to two tropical cyclones could still form within the PAR before the month ends.

From June 1 to 8, Pagasa-Mactan recorded 125.5 millimeters of rainfall in Cebu, already close to 70 percent of the province’s monthly average of 180.7 mm.

As thousands of students head back to school, Pagasa advises continued vigilance.

The state weather bureau reminded that while clearer skies are expected, weather patterns during the rainy season can change rapidly, and it’s important to stay updated through official bulletins.(TGP)