Storm-free weekend but 'habagat' to bring rain over Luzon, Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — It will be a storm-free weekend in the country but the southwest monsoon or "habagat" will continue to bring rain and thunderstorms in some areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, the state weather bureau said on Friday.

Weather specialist Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said cloud clusters, extensions of a severe tropical storm outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), have been monitored but "were unlikely to affect the country as it was already far, as it was outside the PAR region."