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PAR? Lows? What are those? The wet season is upon us, and the first step to preparation is understanding important weather terms.
We may be used to the rainy season, but most of us are still unfamiliar with the weather jargon we hear on TV. To be in the know, here are 12 weather words to help you prepare for the coming rains.
1. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
When the northeastern and southeastern winds converge to form a chain of clouds, it is known as a weather system called the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The ITCZ becomes a breeding ground for Low Pressure Areas.
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2. Low Pressure Area (LPA)
When the heat or pressure in the atmosphere is generally nearer to the ground, it creates a Low Pressure Area (LPA), which forms rain clouds. This is because the water from the surface evaporates faster into clouds. LPAs, or lows, are commonly formed within ITCZs and can possibly evolve into storms or typhoons.
3. Thunderstorm
Thunderstorms are formed by accumulated clouds building up from evaporated water through the water cycle. Thunderstorms are characterized by strong winds, thunder and lightning, as well as rain. Lightning happens when positive charges from accumulated clouds connect with negative charges in clouds and even objects on the surface of the earth. Thunder is followed by lightning because of the vibration of air in the atmosphere.
4. Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)
The Philippine Area of Responsibility, or PAR, is a 4 square-kilometer area that is bound by an imaginary line that surrounds the Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) exercises its mandate within the PAR to ensure that the country’s weather is monitored, allowing it to broadcast warnings if necessary. Once storms or typhoons enter the PAR, they are given Filipino names that were prepared at the start of the year.
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5. Flash Flood
This is a type of flood that is caused by heavy rainfall during a short period of time (less than 6 hours). Flash floods may be caused by overflowing bodies of water, such as rivers, and by clogged sewage systems in urban areas.
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6. Storm Surge
This typically occurs when tropical storms or typhoons affect a body of water, causing higher water levels and erratic waves. Storm surges raise the water level higher than its peak during high tide. Because of the sudden rise in water level, storm surges tend to breach towards land and cause major flooding. This is not to be confused with tsunamis, which are associated with waves caused by underwater seismic activity.

7. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS)
These are warnings issued by PAGASA to inform the public of the current weather situation, and to prepare them for weather disturbances. Last May 2015, PAGASA revised the TCWS to include Super Typhoons, adding an additional warning, Signal number 5, to the current system. This was revised because of the frequency of typhoons with winds 220 kph hitting the country – the last one being Typhoon Yolanda. These warning systems are classified according to wind speeds, not on the amount of rainfall.

8. Tropical Depression

This is characterized by wind speeds at 30 to 60 kph, with light or no damage to high-risk structures. This is classified as Signal No. 1 under the TCWS. PAGASA releases this warning with a lead time of 36 hours.
9. Tropical Storm
This type of weather has wind speeds between 61 to 120 kph, with light to moderate damage for high- and medium-risk structures. Coconut trees start to tilt at this point. PAGASA classifies this as Signal No. 2 and gives a lead time of 24 hours upon issuance.
10. Severe Tropical Storm
A tropical storm elevates to a severe tropical storm when winds go up to 121 to 170 kph, with possible storm surges happening in areas that are near bodies of water. This may cause heavy damage to structures and knock down small trees. PAGASA issues Signal No. 3 when this happens, with a lead time of 18 hours.
11. Typhoon
Wind speeds reach 171 up to 220 kph during a typhoon, with a high chance of storm surges happening in coastal areas. High to medium risk structures are prone to very heavy to heavy damages. Billboards and poorly-constructed roofs are blown down. PAGASA considers this as Signal No. 4, with a lead time of 12 hours once the agency issues it.
12. Super Typhoon
This is the most extreme type of weather disturbance classified under the TCWS, falling under Signal No. 5. Super Typhoons have winds of more than 220 kph, creating extensive infrastructure damage and uprooting trees completely. It is expected to make landfall within 12 hours after PAGASA issues this warning.
It’s important to know these terms so we can better prepare ourselves and our loved ones for rains and floods. Now that you know more about the weather, make sure to share your knowledge with others!

Tropical Storm “Egay” might stay a little longer within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as it decelerates further this morning. Moving north at 7 kilometers per hour, it is expected to leave PAR by Thursday evening.

As of 5:00 AM today, the center of the storm was estimated at 145 kilometers southwest of Laoag City, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

As Egay prevails within the boundary, Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS) are still up over some parts of the Luzon. These areas will experience stormy weather as a direct effect of the tropical storm.

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Meanwhile, several areas of the country will also experience rains today as Egay continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat. Moderate to heavy monsoon rains will be dumped over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. Monsoon rains can trigger flash floods and landslides mostly over the low-lying and mountainous areas.

Visayas will experience light to moderate rains and thunderstorms, while Mindanao will have a generally fair weather aside from possible isolated thunderstorms. Sea travel for fishing boats and other small seacraft is risky over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

Aside from Egay, PAGASA is monitoring two other tropical cyclones outside the PAR. The closest, “Chan-Hom”, was estimated at approximately 830 kilometers east of our boundary. Packing winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 145 kilometers per hour, it moves northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

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Chan-Hom is expected to enter the PAR by Tuesday or Wednesday this week and will be given the local name “Falcon”. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio says it has a slim chance to hit the landmass but will enhance the habagat just like Egay.

Meanwhile, another cyclone with international name “Nangka” was spotted at around 2,800 kilometers east of the PAR. With maximum sustained winds of 105 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 135 kilometers per hour, it is expected to move westward at 20 kilometers per hour. As of now, Nangka is still too far to determine its track. All are still advised to monitor updates and further development.

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Tropical Storm Egay slightly intensified as it moved closer towards Northern Luzon. From a previous strength of 85 kph, it now packs 95 kph maximum sustained winds and gustiness of 120 kph. It slowed down to a speed of 9 kph in a northwest direction due to a high pressure area located southeast of Japan.

More areas are now placed under signal #2. These provinces will experience stormy weather with winds of 61 to 120kph within 24 hours. Meanwhile, expect rains with gusty winds over areas under signal #1:

PUBLIC STORM WARNING 2

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According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, Egay is expected to make landfall tomorrow morning in the northern tip of Cagayan. Its second contact with land will be over the Batanes area by Sunday night or Monday morning. If it maintains its current speed and direction, Egay will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday afternoon.

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Egay still has the possibility of intensifying in the following hours but has a slim chance of reaching typhoon category, he added.

Tropical Storm Egay is the first cyclone in the Philippines this July and the fifth this year. It has an international name of Linfa which means a Lotus, the city flower of Macau.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Chan Hom is expected to enter PAR by Wednesday or Thursday next week. If it does, it will be named Falcon and will further enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat.

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Despite the distance of Egay from the western side of the Philippines, moderate to heavy rains will still be experienced over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol Region due to the enhancement of the southwest monsoon. Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms can be expected over Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the rest of Luzon. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms tonight.

In related news, gale warning has been issued over the seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao. Fishing boats and small seacraft are advised against venturing out into the sea due to strong to gale force winds and rough to very rough sea conditions.

Tropical Storm Egay has maintained its strength while moving closer towards Northern Luzon. At 7 AM today, the center of TS Egay was located at 340 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of 100 kph as it continues to move west northwest at 10 kph.

State Meteorologist Buddy Javier said that TS Egay is expected to intensify, but will not reach typhoon category. The said weather disturbance is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, July 9, 2015.

18 Areas now under Public Storm Warning Signals

PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

Areas under signal no. 2 will experience stormy weather with 24 hours lead time. Rains and gusty winds are expected over the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos provinces, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija and Cagayan, including Babuyan and Calayan Group of Islands.

Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol Region will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms. Residents are advised on the possibilities of landslides and flashfloods. Light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced over Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the rest of Luzon. Fair weather will prevail over the rest of Mindanao, apart from isolated rains and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Chan-Hom is expected to enter PAR on Wednesday July 8, 2015. Javier said, Chan-Hom is forecast not to make any landfall; however it will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rain showers mostly in the western section of the country.

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Tropical Storm Egay maintains strength of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of 80 kph while moving northwest at 13 kph over the East Philippine Sea.

In PAGASA’s latest weather bulletin, Isabela and Cagayan are now under public storm warning signal #1 wherein 30-60 kph winds are expected in at least 36 hours.

If it maintains current speed and direction, Egay will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Wednesday next week.

State Meteorologist Meno Mendoza stated that Egay may intensify further but has a low chance of reaching typhoon category. The weather bureau also does not rule out the possibility of Egay making landfall over extreme Northern Luzon, he added.

With the storm’s enhancement of the southwest monsoon, strong to gale force winds is expected over the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, the seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas, as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. Rough to very rough conditions will be experienced over these coastal waters. Venturing out into the sea is not advised especially for fishing boats and other small seacraft.

For today’s weather, rains with gusty winds will prevail over Isabela, while Bicol Region and Samar may experience moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, cloudy skies with rains are expected over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Zamboanga Peninsula, the rest of Visayas, as well as in the provinces of Cagayan, Aurora, Zambales and Bataan. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

In other news, typhoon Chan Hom traverses the Western Pacific Ocean as it continues to move in a northwest direction and is an incoming threat to Southern Japan next week.

On average, the Philippines experiences around 20 cyclones each year, which may put your home at risk. While strong winds may cause debris to fly and hit structures, heavy rainfall may cause moisture build up, resulting into mold and bacteria formation. Even worse, continuous rainfall can lead to flooding within your home. However, planning ahead can ease these problems or even help you avoid them altogether. Here are some tips on how you can secure your home before the bad weather strikes.

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1. Cut dead tree branches hovering above your house.
Strong winds from the storm might cause dead branches to break and fall on your home, causing damage. This is why you should take time to remove them before the onslaught of rains.

2. Clear drainage and gutters.
Rain water should be able to pass through drains and gutters to avoid flooding. Remove leaves stuck in the gutters of your roof so water does not overflow and enter through the windows. Also, make sure to clean your drains regularly because aside from flooding, clogged drains may also breed insects and cause bad smell.

3. Patch up leaks and holes in your walls, ceiling and roof.
Check your walls for cracks where moisture can seep in, and fill them up with concrete caulk. Make it a habit to inspect your roof at least twice a year for holes, cracks and rusty spots. Replace or patch up defective roof tiles to avoid water from entering. For your ceiling, use adhesives to stop leaks and to prevent moisture build up.

4. Make doors and windows airtight.
Secure gaps in doors and window frames to keep draft and rain from coming in. One trick in looking for gaps is to move a candle around the frames to see where it flickers, which indicates air passing through. Swelling of doors and windows because of moisture can be prevented by applying wax or polish. Make sure hinges are also greased to keep them from rusting.

5. Tidy up unattended electric wires.
Clean up loose wires and water leaks in electrical boxes and switchboards around your house to avoid short circuits as electrical failures may happen during the storm. Make sure to also unplug appliances when not in use, and to never operate switches with wet hands.

6. Roll up your carpets and pin the curtains.
Aside from producing a bad smell, wet fabric increases the moisture inside the house, and attracts a lot of dust. This is why it is advised to stow away your carpets and curtains during monsoons. If they get wet, dry them under the sun as soon as the skies clear up.

7. Seal your furniture.
For wooden furniture, use polish or wax to seal away moisture, which may attract insects and termites. Instead of a wet rag, use a dry rag in wiping your furniture to absorb moisture, which might cause them to rot. If you are leaving your home for a long period of time, move your furniture to higher ground. If you cannot do this, you may also cover them in plastic.

8. Secure your valuables.
Wrap your gadgets and other valuables in cotton and put them in plastic bags to stop moisture from destroying them. Store cash and other important documents in a waterproof envelope and keep them nearby in case of emergency.

9. Use sandbags to keep floodwater away.
As a first line of defense from flooding, put sandbags in the low areas of your house.

10. Let fresh air pass through.
If necessary, install ventilators inside humid areas in your house to avoid moisture build up, which may be harmful to your family’s health.

Spend more time being with your loved ones and less time on worrying about the bad weather! Keep your home safe and dry by following these simple tips and make staying at home even more enjoyable, knowing you are protected.

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Inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the low-pressure area (LPA) remains almost stationary. At 4:00 AM today, the LPA was spotted at 560 kms. east of Legazpi City.

The said weather disturbance is still embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) currently across Visayas.

Based on PAGASA’s latest weather forecast, we can expect cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of thunderstorms.

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Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Chan Hom is expected to intensify into typhoon category. It also has a probability of absorbing its nearest LPA.

State meteorologist Jori Loiz says it has a low chance of entering the PAR as it moves towards Southern Japan. However, it will enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring more rains in the western side of the Philippines.

Now that the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical and Services Administration (PAGASA) already declared the onset of rainy season last June 23, 2015, beach-bumming season is officially over.

But for those who still can’t get enough of the water, you can take your love for all things beachy by saving the Philippine seas.

Courtesy: Save Philippine Seas (SPS)
Courtesy: Save Philippine Sea (SPS)

Save Philippine Seas (SPS) is a collective effort to save and protect the country’s defenseless marine resources. With over 300 trained scuba diver volunteers nationwide, SPS started on May 26, 2011 with the idea of marine conservation and protection through the help of local and foreign authorities.

Photo Courtesy: Curma
Photo Courtesy: Curma

Recently, a winning Sea Camp project “PaWeCan Do It,” a brainchild of Save Philippine Seas advocate and volunteer John Enriq Batapa, was held last June 27, 2015 in Brgy. Kiambing, Maitum, Sarangani Province.

Over 40 participants enjoyed releasing turtle hatchlings and learning about pawikan conservation through the expertise of Jessica C. Guilao, Chief of the Protected Areas, Wildlife, and Coastal Management Service-City Environment and Natural Resources Office Kiamba.

Seas and oceans make up the largest ecosystems on Earth, providing us with food and water. 97% of the Earth’s water supply comes from ocean.

It also provides jobs to millions of workers in fishing industry. Medicine and other pharmaceutical components are extracted from marine invertebrates and algae. These bodies of water also regulate the Earth’s temperature and standardize carbon dioxide. It reduces the impact of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Fortunately, local and private sectors are now taking bold action in addressing the problem concerning these bodies of water. What’s more interesting is that the youth are now engaged into this kind of activities.

Photo Courtesy: Save Philippine Seas (SPS)
Photo Courtesy: Save Philippine Sea (SPS)

Save Philippine Seas is still looking for passionate and nature lover volunteers. Visit the Save Philippine Seas website.

Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency

Embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the low pressure area (LPA) was last estimated at 630 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz said this weather disturbance will gradually enhance the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat.” Loiz added that the combined effect of the ITCZ and habagat will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas and Mindanao. The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience generally fair weather aside from the possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, another LPA and a tropical cyclone or “bagyo” are being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The LPA was last spotted at 2,270 kilometers east of Mindanao. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, this LPA has the chance to enter the PAR within this week.

With an international name “Chan-Hom”, the tropical storm was estimated at 3,640 kilometers east of Mindanao. Chan-Hom is a cyclone name contributed by Lao-PDR which refers to a kind of tree. Duran explains this tropical storm is still too far for its track to be ascertained. However, the possibility of it intensifying and entering the PAR remains.

As we welcome another month, it is a must to know the expected weather pattern this July. Loiz said rains will be more frequent over the western section of Luzon and Visayas due to the surge of habagat. Also, an average of 3 to 5 tropical cyclones are expected to enter the PAR. Based on the climatological records of PAGASA, here are the possible tracks or scenarios for these tropical cyclones:

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