Residents across several parts of Mindanao have been advised to stay alert for possible flash floods and landslides as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast widespread rains and thunderstorms brought by the Southwesterly Windflow and the trough of a tropical storm.
In its latest regional weather forecast issued at 5:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28, PAGASA-Mindanao Regional Services Division (MINPRSD) said areas under the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the prevailing Southwesterly Windflow.
PAGASA warned that these weather conditions may trigger moderate to at times heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides, especially in low-lying and mountainous communities.
Meanwhile, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental are expected to experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the trough of a tropical storm affecting eastern Mindanao. Similar threats of flooding and landslides were also raised in these provinces.
The rest of Mindanao, including parts of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms caused by localized thunderstorms.
Weather forecasters also noted that light to moderate winds from the northwest to west will prevail across the eastern section of Mindanao, with coastal waters remaining slight to moderate, ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 meters. The rest of Mindanao will experience light to moderate southwest to west winds with sea conditions ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 meters.
In the Zamboanga City and provinces across the Zamboanga Peninsula, including Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City, temperatures are expected to range between 24°C and 32°C with continuous cloudy skies, rainshowers, and thunderstorms throughout the forecast period.
In Northern Mindanao, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental are forecast to experience intermittent rains and thunderstorms, while temperatures may range from 23°C to 35°C in some areas.
Across the Davao Region, including Metro Davao, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro, residents can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated to scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Temperatures in the region may reach up to 33°C.
In the SOCCSKSARGEN area, including North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, cloudy conditions with frequent rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected to persist, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 33°C.
Areas under BARMM, including Cotabato City, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur, are likewise expected to experience cloudy skies with rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon windflow.
PAGASA urged the public, especially those living near rivers, coastal communities, and landslide-prone areas, to remain vigilant and monitor official weather advisories as unstable weather conditions continue to affect large portions of Mindanao over the next 24 hours.