Despite the cyclone’s weakening, PAGASA reminds the public to brace itself for the possible effects of Typhoon Chedeng this weekend.

At 4 PM today, the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 845 kms. east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. Packing winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, Chedeng maintains its typhoon category. However, PAGASA claims it has a higher chance of further weakening as it moves closer to the archipelago. State Meteorologist Aldczar Aurelio says there is a possibility that Chedeng may be downgraded to tropical storm category before hitting the landmass.

One such factor of the typhoon’s weakening is the strong vertical wind shear or the wind strength along the cyclone. Aurelio likened it to a humming top or ‘trumpo’ where winds differ in the bottom and top areas of the cyclone. Chedeng may also weaken due to land interaction, especially in mountainous areas that may help break the cyclone’s wind formation.

In the latest run of the various weather forecasting models of the weather bureau, here’s what we can expect:

April 5 – Sunday
Morning: Chedeng to make landfall over the Aurora-Isabela area.
Evening: Chedeng to leave the landmass via Ilocos Sur.

April 6 – Monday
Morning: Chedeng to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Based on PAGASA’s latest weather bulletin, Public Storm Warning Signal number 1 is raised over Isabela, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Island, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

These areas may still be experiencing good weather conditions now, but the effects of Chedeng may be felt in at least 36 hours, or in a day and a half.

PAGASA also mentions the possibility of hoisting the same warning signal over Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and the Cordillera Administrative Region in the next 12 hours as Chedeng moves closer to Eastern Luzon.

In a press briefing held in PAGASA this afternoon, Aurelio explains that although the country is experiencing good weather today, rains with occasional gusty winds can be expected by late Saturday, escalating to stormy weather, particularly over the Central-Northern Luzon area come Sunday.

In the Greater Metro Manila Area, there is a poor chance of having a storm warning signal raised. However, expect occasional rains and gusty winds as Chedeng crosses the land. The remaining parts of the country, on the other hand, can expect warm and humid weather, Aurelio added.

As Chedeng threatens the country, officials remind the residents living in areas under signal #1 to be prepared against possible flash floods and landslides. Storm surges of up to 2 metes are also possible over the eastern coast of Aurora, Quezon and Isabela. Even fisherfolk over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region and Visayas are advised against sea travel due to the rough to very rough sea conditions generated by Chedeng.

Currently, Typhoon Chedeng (Maysak) is located 1019 East of Sorsogon City or 980 kilometers east southeast of Virac, Catanduanes moving west northwest at 19 kph. Chedeng has slightly weakened, its 500-kilometer radius packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness up to 210 kph. According to PAGASA, the typhoon will still weaken as it approaches the eastern seaboard of Luzon.

In the press conference held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, PAGASA announced that Public Storm Warning Signal number 1 will be hoisted this afternoon over Bicol and Northern Samar provinces, which will prohibit sea travel in said areas. Meanwhile, rough to very rough sea conditions will be experienced this weekend over the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

Chedeng is forecast to make landfall in the eastern coast of either of the following: Aurora, Quezon or Isabela by late Saturday to early Sunday, bringing moderate to heavy rains. Storm surges that are three meters high may occur over the eastern seas of Samar, Bicol and the Aurora-Quezon area. Meanwhile, NDRRMC appeals to tourists and travelers to refrain from surfing in Baler due to the threat of unusual sea waves beginning tomorrow.

Lenten Weather
Rains with gusty winds will be experienced in Eastern Luzon starting tomorrow, while Central and Western Luzon will have a warm and humid condition with isolated rain showers tomorrow until Friday.

Over the weekend, Bicol and Central-Northern Luzon will experience rains and gusty winds or stormy weather. Meanwhile, Greater Metro Manila Area will also be subjected to rains and gusty winds. The rest of the country will have warm and humid conditions.

Chedeng is expected to further weaken as it traverses the mountain ranges in Sierra Madre, and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday.

Zero Casualty Goal
Local governments are all set and prepared for the grand entrance of Typhoon Chedeng. In fact, 300,790 family food packs and standby funds amounting to P19,722,674 were transferred to Regions I, II, III, IVA & B, V, VIII, NCR and CAR.

Meanwhile, the national government is also busy with preparation. Quick Response Teams and the Bureau of Fire Protection are ready for deployment to conduct pre-emptive evacuation procedures and emergency response. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) issued warnings to all airports, seaports and land terminals.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines declared a Red Alert level in three of their command centers based in areas that will be hit by the typhoon, while the Department of Health activated its Emergency Operations Center.

Traffic jams, long passenger lines, crowded resorts, fully-booked hotels – these are the common scenes in the Philippines during the holidays, including Holy Week. Aside from the Christian practices of reflecting, repentance and Visita Iglesia, this is also the time of year Filipinos travel and reunite with family and friends.

Some of us opt to stay home, and find an effective outlet for emotions and self-expression through social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For some people, updating statuses and sharing photos have become part of their daily routine. But before you bare your soul in cyberspace, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

1) Don’t post your itinerary details.
Where, when, how long and with whom? Criminals hungrily seek for answers to these questions. But because you have already provided them with details, it will be easier for them to plan their modus, targetting either you personally or the home you left behind.

Police Chief Inspector Jay Guillermo of the Philippine National Police also reminds us to always check the settings of our mobile phones when using messenger/chat. Sometimes, your location appears on the message you sent—
another bit of information criminals can use against you.

2) Be a wise uploader.
Guillermo also advises the public to refrain from posting photos of your current activity or location. It would be better if posting is done after the activity so criminals will not be able to monitor your movements. Regularly check and edit the privacy settings of your account.

3) Think before you click.
Before making a harsh comment online or posting a controversial photo, consider first the possible consequences of your actions. This rule also applies to clicking on random links found on social media sites. You might fall into the trap of scams and computer viruses if you’re not careful.

4) Conduct a background check.
We, Filipinos, are known for being friendly and hospitable. There’s nothing wrong with making new friends but in social media, we have to be cautious in entertaining requests. Before confirming their requests, always check their background profile. Look at their photos, personal information and even their posts. But if you really want to be safe, only approve those whom you know personally.

5) Be in the know.
As we plan our activities for the Lenten Season, it is always better to monitor updates on the weather, public announcements and current events. Taking a break is not all about the enjoyment, one must also be aware of what’s happening. Awareness is the initial key to survival and safety of an individual.

Source: Philippine National Police (PNP)

Holy Week is the time when a lot of Filipinos go out of town, to make the most of the holidays. But if you can’t go out at this time, here are some staycation tips for Lenten Season.

Several hotels surround Manila, so you can still opt to spend your Holy Week in the metro. You and your family can enjoy the packages offered, usually inclusive of breakfast and lunch buffets, complimentary scheduled trips to various churches, use of pool and Easter Egg Hunts.

This can be a perfect time to learn how to cook. If you’re abstaining from meat, there are numerous fish and vegetables dishes that you can master within the week.

Holy Week is the perfect time to spend time with family. Encourage children to understand the significance of the Lenten Season. Activities, such as making your own palaspas or staging your own puppet show that describes Easter, are great ways to keep your little ones occupied while they learn new things.

Maximize the use of Internet. Help in disseminating vital information, such as weather updates, especially now that we are monitoring Typhoon Chedeng (Maysak) that’s forecast to enter the country.

Pay a visit to the nearest church in your area. Doing the Stations of the Cross is a fitting way to contemplate this season. Also known as Via Dolorosa, it’s a narration of the final hours in the life of Jesus Christ.

So if you can’t go out during the Lenten season, don’t fret. There are a lot of ways to enjoy your staycation!

PAGASA declares the termination of the northeast monsoon season in the Philippines, marking the start of the hot and dry season in the country.

With this development, the ridge of high pressure area and the easterlies will be the dominant weather systems in the coming days.
These systems bring generally good weather and warm days in most areas of the Philippines. However, this does not mean we are free from possible wet days.

Isolated cases of rain showers and thunderstorms may also happen due to the following:

1. Urban Heat Island Effect – wherein the concrete structures and the ground are unable to absorb and trap heat from the sun. The warmer the air over the city,the higher its capacity to hold more moisture.

These factors combine to create convergence and lead to thunderstorm formation in a particular locale, especially over the cities as their surfaces are prone to release large quantities of heat.

2. Wind Convergence – wherein two different air masses meet–winds coming from the northeast and the easterlies.

The convergence of the cold and dry air of the northeast winds, and the warm and humid air of the easterlies generate cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms.

On the other hand, seafarers may enjoy calm coastal waters aside from at times moderate waves due to the possible prevalence of the easterlies, particularly over Eastern Luzon and Visayas.

Stay cool this hot season. Take precautionary measures to protect yourself from various heat-related illnesses. Read here: http://www.panahon.tv/blog/2015/03/staying-cool-this-hot-season/