Written by 
The country may experience its first tropical cyclone for the year this January, according to weather bureau specialist Benison Estareja in his New Year’s Day weather update. The cyclone, if it develops, will be named “Auring.”
While no tropical cyclone is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for the rest of the week, Estareja noted that the likelihood of one forming this month remains.
“Pagsapit po ng Enero, posible pa rin hanggang isang bagyo,” Estareja said.
He added that January cyclones commonly make landfall in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
In Palawan, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Estareja warned residents to prepare for potential flooding and landslides in areas prone to these hazards.
“Asahan sa Palawan ang generally makulimlim na panahon na sinasamahan ng kalat-kalat na pag-ulan at thunderstorms,” he said.
Meanwhile, various weather systems continue to bring rains across the country. The northeast monsoon (amihan) is causing light to moderate rains over northern and western parts of Northern Luzon, while the shear line and ITCZ are responsible for scattered rains and thunderstorms in other parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Residents in areas prone to flooding and landslides, particularly in regions affected by the shear line and ITCZ, are advised to exercise caution.
Estareja also warned small sea vessels against venturing out into the waters of Northern Luzon and Ilocos Region due to rough sea conditions caused by the northeast monsoon.
For the rest of the week, scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Eastern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated in Cagayan, Apayao, Isabela, and Aurora by January 2, which could lead to localized flooding and landslides.