MANILA, Philippines — The easterlies and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) are now affecting the country as tropical depression "Julian" is no longer a threat despite being almost stationary over north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.
Weather specialist Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Julian (international name: "Krathon") would likely exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either this Friday or early Saturday morning.
The ITCZ – the imaginary line where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet – is particularly affecting the Bicol Region, Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula where overcast skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms would be experienced.
The easterlies – winds coming from the east that pass through the Pacific Ocean and carry warm and humid weather – are bringing isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, the state weather bureau said.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country, meanwhile, will also be experiencing isolated downpours or thunderstorms but due to the localized thunderstorms within 24 hours, it added.