‘Crising’ exits but rains to persist in Cebu

Local

TROPICAL Storm ‘Crising’ may have exited the Philippine Area of Responsiblity (PAR) but it’s still going to be wet in Cebu in the coming days.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of occasional rains, gusty winds, and rough seas in Metro Cebu and the rest of the province from Saturday to Sunday, July 19 to 20, due to the storm’s pull on the southwest monsoon (habagat).

“Metro Cebu will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate occasional rains. Winds will be moderate to strong with moderate to rough coastal waters,” said Engineer Al Quiblat, chief of Pagasa-Mactan.

But the gloomy skies won’t last long. Starting Monday, July 21, Cebu is expected to see a break in the rains.

“By Monday to Wednesday, we’ll have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms. Winds will ease to moderate, and coastal conditions will also improve,” Quiblat said.

From Saturday through Sunday, July 19–20, Cebu can expect intermittent rains and strong winds. The rains will ease by Monday, but brief thunderstorms are still likely through midweek, July 21–23.

Winds will blow moderately to strongly from the southwest on the weekend, before weakening to light to moderate by Monday. Coastal conditions will also improve from moderate to rough to slight to moderate.

Temperature ranges are forecast at 24 to 30 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 24 to 28 degrees Celsius on Sunday, and 25 to 32 degrees Celsius from Monday to Wednesday.

“Though Crising is far from Cebu, its indirect influence through the southwest monsoon is still bringing rain,” said Quiblat.

Although Cebu is experiencing milder effects, localized heavy rains and strong winds could still pose risks, particularly in flood-prone areas and along coastal zones.

Retired Pagasa Visayas Director Oscar Tabada urged Cebuanos to take precautions, especially during the wet weekend.

Local authorities remain on standby. Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said weather-related assessments are ongoing, and possible class suspensions may still be declared depending on real-time conditions.(TGP)