COLD winds and light rains will be likely caused by the northeast monsoon locally known as 'amihan,' not by a tropical cyclone, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday.

Localized thunderstorms, meanwhile, will prevail over Mindanao where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may be experienced within the next 24 hours, Pagasa added.

Weather specialist Benison Estareja said the northeast monsoon is affecting the entire Luzon, including Metro Manila and the Visayas where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains will be likely.

'We have not monitored any weather disturbance at least until over the weekend so it will be a generally fair weather condition all over the country except for isolated rain showers and thunderstorms,' Estareja added.

He said the winds and rains the northeast monsoon brings may likely lessen in the coming days.

'But amihan may persist to be experienced maybe until the middle of March,' Estareja added.