Manila: Almost all areas in the country will experience rains caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and a low pressure area (LPA) on Independence Day, the weather bureau said. The LPA, located 235 km east of Calayan, Cagayan, has a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LPA will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Batanes and Cagayan, as stated by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 4 a.m. bulletin. Most areas in the country will be rainy due to cloud clusters caused by the southwest monsoon, explained PAGASA forecaster Grace Casta±eda.

Casta±eda advised those going outdoors, especially participants in Independence Day activities, to bring protection against rains and take precautions against possible flooding and landslides. Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro will experience monsoon rains.

Occasional rains are expected over Metro Manila, La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Palawan, and Antique. The rest of Luzon and the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte will have scattered rains and thunderstorms. The rest of Mindanao will experience isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough coastal waters are forecasted in the northern and western sections of Luzon. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas. Casta±eda also mentioned that Tropical Storm Wutip, located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, continues to move away and has no direct effect on any part of the country.