CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The regional weather office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has warned of cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in parts of eastern Mindanao as the Easterlies continue to affect the region from 5:00 p.m. on February 24 until 5:00 p.m. on February 25.
According to PAGASA’s Mindanao Regional Services Division (MINPRSD), the provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte are expected to experience cloudy conditions with intermittent rain and thunderstorms that may become moderate to occasionally heavy. Weather forecasters cautioned residents and local authorities to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides, particularly in low-lying and mountainous areas.
Across the rest of Mindanao, weather conditions will generally range from partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms still triggered by the Easterlies. PAGASA said sudden downpours during stronger thunderstorms may also lead to localized flooding or landslides in vulnerable communities.
Winds across Mindanao are forecast to remain light to moderate, blowing from the northeast to east. Coastal waters are expected to be slight to moderate, with wave heights ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters, allowing normal sea travel but still requiring caution among small fishing vessels.
Zamboanga Peninsula outlook
In the Zamboanga Peninsula, including Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City, residents can expect partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with occasional rain showers or thunderstorms from this evening until tomorrow afternoon.
Temperature ranges in the sub-region are forecast between 24°C and 34°C, with coastal waters remaining slight to moderate and winds continuing from the northeast to east.
Northern Mindanao conditions
Areas in Northern Mindanao such as Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental will also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.
Temperatures in these areas are expected to range from around 20°C to as high as 31°C, depending on location and time of day.
Davao Region forecast
In the Davao Region — including Davao City and the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental — similar weather conditions are expected, with occasional rain showers and thunderstorms especially in the afternoon or evening.
Forecast temperatures in the region will range from about 21°C to 32°C.
SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga
In SOCCSKSARGEN, provinces such as North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani will also see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered rain showers or thunderstorms and temperatures between 22°C and 32°C.
Meanwhile, the Caraga Region — including Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur — will experience similar conditions, though rains are expected to be more persistent in eastern coastal areas near Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
BARMM areas
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, including Cotabato City, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur, the forecast remains generally the same, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms and temperatures ranging from about 20°C to 33°C.
Weather officials reiterated that while most areas will only experience short-lived rains, stronger thunderstorms could still bring sudden heavy downpours. Residents are advised to monitor official weather advisories and take precautionary measures, especially in flood- and landslide-prone communities.