Habagat, potential storm expected to drench PH this week

MANILA -- It is going to be a rainy week ahead for the Philippines as the southwest monsoon pairs with a potential tropical depression this Tuesday.

A low pressure area may enter the Philippine area of responsibility and it may turn into a tropical depression this Wednesday, according to ABS-CBN's resident weather forecaster Ariel Rojas. It will be assigned the name "Crising." 

This weather disturbance, which gains strength while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea towards the Taiwan-Extreme Northern Luzon area,  is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or Habagat. 

The weather systems will bring occasional rains over MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Sulu Archipelago from Monday to Tuesday. 

Scattered rains may also be experienced over the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon and the rest of Visayas while afternoon thunderstorms will affect the rest of Luzon and Mindanao in the same period. 

From Wednesday onwards, there will be intense monsoon rains MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros, Zamboanga, and Sulu Archipelago and may shift over the western parts of Luzon by Friday and Saturday. 

The trough and/or the outer rain bands of the potential storm may bring scattered rains over Bicol and Eastern Visayas on Thursday; eastern Luzon on Friday; and Northern Luzon by weekend.

Metro Manila will be partly cloudy Monday through Wednesday and sunny through midday with afternoon thunderstorm rains. Thursday onwards, more frequent rains throughout the day are expected, with the heaviest possible on Friday and Saturday.

Flooding and landslides are expected during occasions of prolonged and heavy rainfall.

These scenarios will depend on the potential storm formation, and the public is advised to watch out for weather updates.