Cloudy skies, afternoon downpour in next few days in Cebu

Local

KEEP those umbrellas close and your weekend plans flexible.

Cebu is in for cloudy skies and possible heavy afternoon showers, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Engr. Al Quiblat, chief of Pagasa-Mactan, said that the southwesterly wind flow continues to influence Visayas weather, bringing mostly cloudy skies and scattered rains to Cebu.

“Cebu will have mostly cloudy skies with light to moderate scattered rains today and tomorrow due to the southwesterly wind flow,” Quiblat said. “Expect possible heavy rain showers in the afternoon or evening because of thunderstorms.”

The bureau said Western Visayas, Negros Island, and Palawan will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, while the rest of the Visayas, including Cebu, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms due to localized weather systems.

Pagasa forecasts rain showers for Cebu throughout the weekend, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 31°C on Saturday and 25°C to 29°C on Sunday.

Conditions are expected to improve by mid-next week (October 13–15) as winds shift northeast to east-northeast, which signals the start of the amihan (northeast monsoon).

Pagasa officially declared the end of the southwest monsoon (habagat) on October 7, marking the country’s transition to cooler days.

“The weakening of the southwest wind flow and the establishment of a high-pressure area over northeastern Luzon prompted Pagasa to declare the termination of the southwest monsoon,” Quiblat said.

But while the air may cool, the skies won’t stay clear for long. Quiblat cautioned that rainfall could still increase with the possible development of a weak La Niña between October and December.

Pagasa has raised its La Niña Alert Level after forecasts showed a 71 percent chance of the phenomenon forming before the year ends.

“This La Niña is forecasted to be weak and short-lived, but we should not be complacent because it can still give the country above-normal rainfall conditions for the coming months,” Quiblat warned.

Up to eight more tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before the year ends, with two to four projected this October alone.

“Between the first and second week of October, there’s a possibility of two low-pressure areas entering PAR,” Quiblat said. “But for now, the likelihood of a tropical cyclone developing remains low.”

Despite the transition to cooler days, Pagasa continues to urge vigilance against flash floods and localized thunderstorms.

“We may be transitioning to cooler days, but the risk of heavy rains and floods remains,” Quiblat reminded. “Preparedness and timely information remain our best protection.”

Residents are advised to stay alert, monitor official weather updates, and avoid spreading unverified reports online, especially during active weather systems.(TGP)