EXPECT more rains in most parts of the archipelago today as a new Shear Line has formed east of Visayas.
The Shear Line brings to three the number of weather systems affecting the archipelago, joining the chorus of Northeast Monsoon and the Low-Pressure Area.
The rains of the triad weather disturbances may be a blessing for farmers. But for some in Eastern Visayas and Caraga, it may spell another disaster. The red flood alert is up in the two regions as they have been battered by torrential rains for the past few days.
What is Shear Line
A Shear Line forms when the warm air from the LPA and cool air from the Northeast Monsoon converge. It forms its own set of clouds and produces rains.
For the past 21 days, although there is no typhoon, the Shear Line has affected more than 680,000 people in 36 provinces.
Latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) shows a total of 52 persons died, 16 injured, 18 missing mostly from flooding and landslide incidents.
Weather forecast
EFFECTS OF LPA
The LPA is bringing moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains, over the following areas:
- Eastern Visayas
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte, and
- Surigao del Sur
Light to moderate and sometimes heavy rains may be felt in these areas:
- Davao region
- Northern Mindanao
- Zamboanga Peninsula
- Bicol region
- the rest of Caraga, and
- the rest of Visayas
Watch out for flooding and rain-induced landslides in areas which are deemed hazardous.
Pagasa meteorologists are closely monitoring the LPA which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility Sunday night.
The LPA was last seen 295 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
It is unlikely that it will form into a typhoon in the next 24 hours.
EFFECTS OF SHEAR LINE
The Bicol region is feeling the direct effects of the Shear Line in Luzon. It will be generally cloudy today, but there may still be sporadic rain showers.
The Shear Line is also collaborating with LPA in bringing rains to Visayas and Mindanao.
EFFECTS OF NORTHEAST MONSOON
The Northeast Monsoon, popularly known as hanging amihan in Filipino, will dump moderate to heavy rains in the eastern corridor of Luzon as well as some parts of southern Luzon.
- Cagayan Valley
- Aurora
- Quezon
- Marinduque
- Oriental Mindoro
Pagasa’s forecast in eastern Luzon today is “cloudy skies with rains.” But hey, it’s been like that for the past weeks.
They may sound like a broken record, but Pagasa will not stop reminding residents that the threat of flooding or rain-induced landslides are still.
Based on the latest Pagasa data, the accumulated rainfall in the Cagayan Valley region, Aurora and Quezon between January 1 to 9 is already “above” the normal average.
METRO MANILA, REST OF LUZON
Except for light rains, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have generally fair weather.
Flood advisories
Pagasa’s flood hazard map in the Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan is dotted today with eight general flood advisories.
RED FLAGS
Two regions are already in the red zone territory — meaning rivers have probably overflowed and the threat of flooding in low lying areas and near the river system is “extreme.”
In its general 4:47 am general flood advisory, Pagasa said the following rivers and tributaries in Eastern Visayas have reached critical levels:
- Northern Samar
- Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mawo and Gamay.
- Southern Leyte
- Bisay, Himbangan and Pandan.
- Biliran
- All rivers and its tributaries
- Leyte
- Sangputan, Palo, Solano (Quilot), Daguitan Marabang, Cadac-an, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbangahan, Pagsangahan and Binahaan.
- Samar
- Basey, Silanga, Calbiga and Jibatan.
- Eastern Samar
- Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorente, Balangiga and Sulat.
Also in the red alert for flooding are areas near the rivers and tributaries in the Caraga region:
- Dinagat Islands
- Malinao Inlet and Gaas Lulet.
- Surigao Del Norte
- Surigao and Magallanes
- Agusan Del Sur
- Ojot, Wawa, Libang, Maosam, Kasilan, Gibong, Adgaoan, Simulao, Kayonan and Andanan.
- Surigao Del Sur
- Cantillan, Toracan, Tandag, Tago, Hubo-Oteiza, Hinatuan and Bislig.
- Agusan Del Norte
- Lake-Mainit-Tubay, Asiga, Agusan, Linugos and Cabadbaran
Temperature check
Luzon
- Baguio : 14-21°C
- Laoag: 19-31°C
- Tuguegarao: 19-28°C
- Tagaytay: 20-28°C
- Metro Manila: 22-30°C
- Legazpi:24-28°C
- Kalayaan Group of Islands – 25-32°C
- Puerto Princesa – 25-32°C
Visayas and Mindanao
- Tacloban: 23-27°C
- Cebu: 24-28°C
- Iloilo : 24-28°C
- Cagayan de Oro: 23-28°C
- Davao: 25-29°C
- Zamboanga: 24-31°C
banner photo: Screenshot from Pagasa weather satellite
