Cloudy skies and scattered rains are expected to prevail across most parts of Mindanao over the next 24 hours as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned residents of possible flash floods and landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rainfall.
In its Regional Weather Forecast issued at 5:00 a.m. on May 26, PAGASA-Mindanao said the weather disturbance is being driven by the Southwesterly Windflow affecting the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), SOCCSKSARGEN, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental, while the rest of Mindanao is being affected by the trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA).
The weather bureau said all provinces and cities across Mindanao are expected to experience cloudy skies with rainshowers and thunderstorms from today until early tomorrow morning.
PAGASA warned that prolonged and intense rainfall may trigger flash floods in low-lying communities and landslides in mountainous and landslide-prone areas, especially in provinces already saturated by previous rains.
Areas under the Zamboanga Peninsula, including Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City, are forecast to experience persistent thunderstorms and rainshowers with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 33°C.
In Northern Mindanao, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental are also expected to have unstable weather conditions throughout the day. Temperatures in the region may range from 20°C to 32°C.
Metro Davao and the rest of the Davao Region, including Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental, will continue to experience cloudy skies accompanied by scattered rains and thunderstorms. Forecast temperatures in the region may reach up to 33°C despite the rainy conditions.
PAGASA also placed the SOCCSKSARGEN Region under the same weather outlook, affecting North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani. Residents were advised to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, particularly in flood-prone communities and near river systems.
In the Caraga Region, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands are likewise expected to experience unstable weather conditions caused by the trough of the LPA.
Meanwhile, the entire BARMM region, including Cotabato City, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur, will continue to experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the prevailing southwesterly windflow.
PAGASA said winds across Mindanao will generally be light to moderate coming from the northwest to west, while coastal waters will remain slight to moderate with wave heights ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 meters.
Fisherfolk operating small sea vessels were still advised to exercise caution during thunderstorms, especially in coastal communities experiencing sudden gusty conditions.
The weather bureau urged local disaster risk reduction offices and residents to continuously monitor weather bulletins and advisories for possible changes in weather conditions as the southwest monsoon and the trough of the LPA continue to affect Mindanao.