Only one weather system is affecting the country–the northeast monsoon extending over the Luzon area. This will bring isolated lights rains in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Meanwhile, the CARAGA and Davao regions will experiecne light to moderate rain showers brought by wind convergence. The meeting of the northeast monsoon and easterlies creates thunderstorm clouds.
The rest of the country will continue to have fair weather aside from isolated rains in the afternoon or evening.
Lowest tenperature today
As of 2 AM, below is the list of PAGASA’s recorded minimum tenperatures in the Luzon area.
The tail-end of a cold front now affects Mindanao, bringing cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers, particularly over the regions of Northern Mindanao, CARAGA and Central Visayas, as well in the provinces of Leyte and Negros Occidental.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be experiencing fair weather conditions, apart from isolated light rains due to the prevailing northeast monsoon.
The remaining parts of Visayas and Mindanao can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the following hours.
Meanwhile, State Meteorologist Buddy Javier says that although the satellite shows a cluster of clouds outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it has a low chance of developing into a low pressure area.
THE JANUARY NIGHT SKY
On this first week of 2015, the northern hemisphere night sky is favored by the first meteor shower of the year.
The annual Quadrantid meteor shower has been active since January 1 and will last until January 7. Peaking on the first weekend of the year, between midnight and dawn of January 3 and 4, a rate of at least 40 meteors per hour can be seen, says Engr. Dario Dela Cruz, PAGASA Space Sciences and Astronomy Section Chief.
However, the almost fully illuminated moon hinders the display this year, making visibility a challenge to avid skywatchers, except for a very short window of peak activity.
The said meteor shower was named after the extinct 17th century constellation Quadrans Muralis or the Wall Quadrant.
2015 is here! Another year, another set of goals. But before we outline our plans for the new year, let us first familiarize ourselves with this month’s weather.
1) Rains won’t go away yet.
This month marks the start of another year but rainy days won’t end yet for some areas of the country. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier said the northeast monsoon or amihan and the tail end of a cold front will be dominant. Amihan is cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia, bringing light rains mostly over Northern and Central Luzon.
Meanwhile, the tail end of a cold front refers to the extended part of a cold front which is formed when the cold air mass dominates the warm air mass during a convergence. Javier added that at this time, Southern Luzon usually experiences cloudy skies, as well as light and moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms. However, the tail end of a cold front can recede or move, depending on the strength of amihan.
2) January’s not totally “bagyo-free”.
According to PAGASA, the average number of tropical cyclones that usually enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this month is 0 to 1. This means that there is still a chance for us to experience stormy weather even in the first month of the year.
Climatologically speaking, a cyclone that may enter the PAR could cross the archipelago or make landfall, particularly over the Visayas area. It is also possible for it to re-curve, moving away from the landmass. The surge of the northeast monsoon or amihan influences its movement.
3) The much awaited sweater-weather is here.
Amihan peaks this month, bringing colder weather mostly over Luzon. Minimum temperatures are usually recorded during this chilly part of the year. One of the significant amihan-related events happened on January 18, 1961 when Baguio City’s temperature dropped to 6.3 degrees Celsius.
The New Year signals a new chapter in our lives—the chance to be better, kinder, and healthier versions of ourselves. But this year, we at PanahonTV suggest digging a little deeper when it comes to making resolutions. Aside from personal improvement, let’s also aim to make this world a nicer place to live in—by forming habits that address issues such as Climate Change, Disaster Preparedness, and Energy Conservation, among others.
1. Use reusable bottles for water. Plastic bottles, when not properly disposed, can cause multiple problems for the environment, such as clogging drainages. According to the EcoWaste Coalition, Metro Manila’s daily waste weighs in at an alarming 8,601 tons per day and is estimated to rise to 9,060 tons per day in 2015.
2. Bring a foldable canvas bag wherever you go. Instead of using plastic, you can put your purchases in it—and even sit on it in instances (an impromptu picnic, perhaps?) when you don’t want to dirty your clothes.
3. Have everyday-carry items that come in handy during emergencies.
4. Maximize sunlight to save on electricity. Read in natural light and use solar-powered gadgets.
5. Plant indigenous trees, which, experts say are more likely to be typhoon-resilient.
6. Reduce your carbon footprint by walking to nearby locations. This way, you don’t only help reduce carbon emission; you’re also on your way to preventing cardiovascular diseases. For more tips on going green, follow these simple tips.
7. Instead of driving, try biking like these people who do it for a living.
8. Carpool. Save the environment while making new friends!
9. Travel safe—whether you’re using public transport or your own vehicle. For destination ideas, we suggest taking a break in our star-studded beaches.
10. Finish your food. Pope Francis dishes out this wise advice, stating, “Throwing food away is like stealing from the tables of the poor, the hungry!” Remember that millions are suffering from hunger worldwide.
11. Understand the weather systems and Climate Change. Doing so can help you make more informed decisions.
12. Make your home resilient against typhoons, including the dreaded Storm Signal number 4!
13. Be fit. Now that the holidays are over, plan healthier meals that boost your immune system.
14. Sort your garbage. Better yet, make your own compost pit in your backyard.
15. Be a positive influence on others. Share your resolutions on your social networking page and spread the good vibes!
The Philippines remains bagyo-free on the first Monday of 2015. Weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar says in an interview that no weather disturbance has been monitored inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Two weather systems remain to influence the country’s weather – the tail-end of a cold front in Eastern Visayas and the northeast monsoon prevailing in Luzon.
The tail-end of a cold front is the boundary between the northeasterlies and the easterlies. The convergence of the cold and dry air of the former and the warm and humid air of the latter generate cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers.
On the other hand, the northeast monsoon or amihan brings light rains over the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. Isolated rain showers can be experienced in Metro Manila and the remaining parts of Luzon. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, PAGASA has not issued any gale warnings today after releasing the final advisory yesterday due to the weakened northeast monsoon.
AMIHAN: THE COLDEST DAYS
According to PAGASA, the peak months of the northeast monsoon are January and February when the lowest temperatures during the season are recorded.
In history, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the Philippines was in Baguio City on January 18, 1961 with 6.3 degrees Celsius.
Metro Manila, which has three stations, recorded the lowest temperatures ranging from 14.5 to 14.9 degrees Celsius as shown below:
As of 1:00 AM today, the low pressure area (LPA) has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). This LPA was the former Seniang, the last tropical cyclone that entered the PAR last year. Meanwhile, two weather systems will affect the country today, including the tail end of a cold front and the northeast monsoon or amihan that prevails over Luzon.
Due to the gradual intensification of amihan, the tail end of a cold front slightly moved downward, bringing cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas. Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia, will bring light rains over the Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains while the rest of the country will have generally fair weather aside from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Sea travel is still risky in the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the Visayas, as well as the eastern, western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon. Wave height could reach up to 3.4 to 4.5 meters, with wind force ranging from 52 to 63 kilometers per hour.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier said that this month, the average number of tropical cyclones that may enter PAR is 0 to 1. A cyclone normally moves towards Visayas but there will be an instance that it may also re-curve upward, away from the landmass.
Cold weather greeted the new year yesterday. Here are the 5 lowest temperatures recorded on the 1st day of 2015:
This morning, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz shared that Baguio City’s temperature dropped to 11°C at 2:00 AM while 20.3°C was recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City.
As amihan peaks this month, the minimum temperatures and colder days are usually felt during this part of the year. However, aside from the chill, this weather system will also bring light rains over the affected areas.
Before 2014 officially ended last night, Seniang further weakened and became a low pressure area (LPA). At 4:00AM today, it was estimated at 210 kilometers south-southeast of Puerto Princesa City. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez, it is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight or tomorrow.
Aside from the LPA, the tail end of a cold front, which is formed when the cold air mass dominates the warm air, will affect the Bicol Region. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Siberia or Mainland China, will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier explained that the LPA has weakened due to the effect of amihan or cold intrusion, which is not favorable for the intensification of a tropical cyclone.
As we welcome the first day of a brand new year, some parts of the archipelago will experience rains mostly over Southern Palawan, where the LPA may dump moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms. Bicol Region, the rest of MIMAROPA and the province of Quezon will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.
Cagayan Valley and Cordillera will experience light rains while Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Improved weather will continue over Visayas and Mindanao, with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Gale warning is still up over the seaboards of Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, and the seaboards of Visayas. These areas will experience rough to very rough sea conditions with wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters. Sea travel is risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft.
PAGASA added that no other weather disturbance is being monitored outside the PAR. However, all are still advised to monitor updates from the weather bureau.
