MANILA – The southwest monsoon is expected to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to several areas in Luzon on Friday, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warning of possible flash floods and landslides.

In its 4 a.m. weather forecast, PAGASA said Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Batanes, and Cagayan will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon.

Moderate to at times heavy rains in these areas could trigger flash floods or landslides, PAGASA said.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the southwest monsoon. Similar weather is expected in the rest of the country due to localized thunderstorms.

Flash floods and landslides may also occur in these areas during severe thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Severe Tropical Storm Saudel (2618) remained outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of 3 a.m. Friday.

The storm was located about 2,735 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, near 13.9°N, 149.5°E, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Saudel was moving north-northwestward at 25 kph, according to PAGASA.

The agency forecast moderate to strong winds from the southwest over the northern and western sections of Luzon, where coastal waters were expected to be moderate to rough, with waves reaching 2.1 to 3.8 meters.

The rest of Luzon may experience light to moderate southwest winds, with coastal waters ranging from slight to moderate at 0.6 to 2.5 meters.

For the rest of the country, winds are expected to be light to moderate from the south to southwest, while coastal waters may remain slight to moderate, with waves between 0.6 and 2.1 meters.

In Metro Manila, sunrise is expected at 5:43 a.m. and sunset at 6:16 p.m. Friday. The moon is expected to rise at 1 p.m., with illumination at 63%.

PAGASA recorded a minimum temperature of 24.4°C and a maximum of 31.7°C over the 24-hour period ending at 8 p.m. Thursday. Relative humidity ranged from 65% to 98%.