When Will the Rain Stop in Metro Manila?

(SPOT.ph) It’s been raining almost nonstop in Metro Manila lately, with one downpour barely ending before another begins. If you’re wondering when we’ll finally catch a break, we’ve got bad news: the rain isn’t going away anytime soon.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the southwest monsoon—or what we know as habagat—will continue to bring rain to Metro Manila over the next several days.

Based on PAGASA’s latest forecast issued on August 10, Metro Manila has a 90% chance of rain every day from Tuesday, August 11 to Thursday, August 13. That slightly drops to 80% on Friday, August 14. That rain is expected to come in the form of showers and thunderstorms, meaning it may come and go throughout the day, with some periods bringing thunder and lightning. Make sure to bring your umbrellas.

There is some relief in sight, though. PAGASA Weather Specialist Chenel Dominguez said the heavy habagat rains are expected to gradually ease over the next few days as Typhoon Dolphin, which had been enhancing the monsoon, weakens after making landfall in mainland China.

So while rain is still likely through August 14, it may not be as intense as what Metro Manila has been experiencing over the past few days.

Also read: PAGASA’s New Weather App Lets You Check Rain, Heat + More Before Heading Out

That’s as far as PAGASA’s current detailed forecast for Metro Manila goes. Beyond August 14, the forecast gets less specific—but we still have a general idea of what the weather could look like.

PAGASA’s longer-range forecast for August 13 to 19 shows that the habagat will continue to affect much of the country. For Metro Manila, there’s a high to very high chance of getting more than 150 millimeters of rain over the seven-day period.

As of August 10, though, there is no active tropical cyclone inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). For now, PAGASA said the rain over Metro Manila is still being driven by the enhanced habagat.

Habagat is warm, moisture-heavy air from the surrounding seas moving toward the country, resulting in rain particularly over the western parts of the Philippines. According to PAGASA, it usually affects the country from May to September.

Also read: PSA: Employers Can’t Force You to Work During a Typhoon