Typhoon Queenie Exits PAR Today, But ITCZ Rains Still Loom Over Visayas
Typhoon Queenie is on its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but PAGASA is warning residents of Central Visayas, the Negros Island Region, and parts of Leyte to still expect cloudy skies and scattered rains today due to a separate weather disturbance.
According to PAGASA's 5:00 a.m. bulletin, Queenie has intensified into a full-fledged typhoon, with maximum sustained winds now at 130 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 160 km/h. The storm was last spotted 685 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north-northeastward at 15 km/h. PAGASA noted that Queenie has shifted its track from a northward to a north-northeastward direction, and is now expected to exit the PAR by around noon to early afternoon today, continuing on toward the southern part of Japan. The storm has no direct effect on Philippine weather and is also not seen to strengthen the southwest monsoon (habagat), which PAGASA said could weaken and possibly end within the next few days to weeks.
What This Means for Visayas
While Queenie itself poses no threat, PAGASA identified the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) — the meeting point of wind systems from the northern and southern hemispheres — as the main weather influence affecting the country today. The bulletin specifically named Central Visayas and the Negros Island Region, along with the provinces of Southern Leyte and Leyte, as areas expected to see cloudy skies with scattered rains, thunderstorms, and lightning due to the ITCZ's effect.
The rest of the Visayas region, PAGASA said, will instead experience localized rain showers and thunderstorms rather than the more sustained rain tied to the ITCZ. For temperature guidance, PAGASA forecast a range of 25 to 32°C in Iloilo, 26 to 32°C in Cebu, and 26 to 32°C in Tacloban for the day.
Mindanao is also expected to see similar ITCZ-driven conditions, with Northern Mindanao and the Caraga region forecast to have scattered rains, while the rest of Mindanao will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a chance of localized rain showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures in Mindanao are expected to range from 25 to 34°C in Zamboanga, 25 to 32°C in Cagayan de Oro, and 25 to 33°C in Davao.
Palawan is also expected to experience localized thunderstorms today, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 33°C in the Kalayaan Islands and 25 to 33°C in Puerto Princesa City.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and most of Luzon are expected to have generally fair and warmer weather today, though localized thunderstorms remain possible in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures across Luzon are generally expected to range from 24 to 33°C, with Tuguegarao reaching up to 33°C, Baguio at 17 to 24°C, Metro Manila at 25 to 32°C, Tagaytay at 23 to 31°C, and Legazpi at 25 to 33°C.
Residents across Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte are advised to keep an eye on the skies today, particularly given the chance of sudden rain, thunder, and lightning tied to the ITCZ's presence over the region. PAGASA noted that no gale warning is currently in effect, meaning sea travel remains generally allowed along the country's coastal waters. However, the weather bureau cautioned that localized thunderstorms can still cause sudden swells or rougher waves, so operators of smaller boats and bancas are advised to exercise extra caution when heading out to sea.
PAGASA said it will issue its next weather update at 11:00 a.m. and encouraged the public to continue monitoring its official social media accounts on X, Facebook, and YouTube, as well as its official websites, for the latest thunderstorm advisories, rainfall information, heavy rainfall warnings, and flood advisories.
Quick Summary
- What: Typhoon Queenie has intensified but is exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility, while the ITCZ brings rain to parts of the Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan.
- Where: Central Visayas, Negros Island Region, Southern Leyte, and Leyte (ITCZ-affected); rest of Visayas experiencing localized rain showers.
- When: Today (Sunday), with Queenie expected to exit PAR by noon to early afternoon; next PAGASA update at 11:00 a.m.
- Impact on Visayas: Cloudy skies, scattered rains, thunderstorms, and lightning in ITCZ-affected areas; temperatures ranging from 25-32°C across Iloilo, Cebu, and Tacloban; no gale warning, but caution advised for small boats due to possible sudden swells.
- Source: PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) Weather Forecasting Center, 5:00 a.m. bulletin, presented by Obet Badrina.