IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Cloudy skies and intermittent to heavy rains will continue to affect large parts of Mindanao on Tuesday, January 6, as a trough of a low-pressure area (LPA) and prevailing easterlies influence the region, the state weather bureau said.
In its 5:00 a.m. regional forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)–Mindanao said the LPA trough is directly affecting the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, bringing scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms that could trigger flash floods and landslides.
PAGASA warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas, particularly those near rivers and slopes, to remain alert as moderate to at times heavy rainfall is possible.
Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM at risk of flooding
Zamboanga City and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, along with Isabela City, are forecast to experience cloudy skies with frequent rainshowers and thunderstorms throughout the day and night. Daytime temperatures may reach up to 33°C, while nighttime temperatures could fall to 23°C to 25°C.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will also see persistent cloudy skies and rains, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 32°C. Coastal waters in these areas are expected to be slight to moderate, but PAGASA cautioned that thunderstorms may pose risks to small fishing vessels.
Easterlies bring isolated rains elsewhere
The rest of Mindanao will be affected by easterlies, resulting in partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.
Northern Mindanao — including Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental — will experience warm and humid weather, with temperatures reaching up to 32°C. PAGASA said isolated thunderstorms could still cause localized flooding.
Metro Davao and the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao de Oro will also have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with occasional rainshowers or thunderstorms. Temperatures in the region may climb to 32°C. Meanwhile, moderate to strong northeasterly to northerly winds may affect coastal and eastern areas, particularly Davao Oriental and parts of Davao de Oro.
Rough seas in eastern Mindanao, Caraga
PAGASA warned of moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas over eastern Mindanao and Caraga, including Davao Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Dinagat Islands. Wave heights in these areas may range from 1.8 to 3.5 meters.
“Sea travel is risky for small seacraft, especially along eastern coastal areas,” PAGASA said, advising fishermen and operators of small vessels to avoid sailing during thunderstorms.
Elsewhere, including the SOCCSKSARGEN provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, winds will be light to moderate, with seas ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters.
PAGASA urges vigilance
Cotabato City and the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur are expected to have generally fair to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. While widespread flooding is not anticipated, PAGASA said severe thunderstorms could still trigger localized flash floods.
The forecast is valid until 5:00 a.m. on January 7. PAGASA urged local disaster risk reduction offices and the public to closely monitor weather bulletins, especially in flood-, landslide-, and storm surge–prone areas.
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