The thunderstorms in Metro Manila on Tuesday (May 15) night were signs that the rainy season is nearing, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pagasa forecasters said the rain was due to the habagat (southwest monsoon), which signals the start of the rainy season.

Meanwhile, a trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) is affecting the western section of North and Central Luzon while an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting Mindanao,

Because of the weather conditions, North and Central Luzon, Palawan, and Mindanao are to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms,

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening.

There is no tropical cyclone located within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).