The southwest monsoon, locally knows as “habagat”, is now affecting Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao. This weather system will bring occasional rains in Visayas, Mindanao and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan. Aside from the occasional rains, humid weather is also expected to prevail today.
The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains or thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has now developed into a tropical depression. With an international name “Etau,” which means storm cloud contributed by United States of America, it was located at 1,795 kms east of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph moving north-northwest at 15 kph.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz said Etau has a very slim chance of entering PAR.
The “ber” months are in! But before you start playing Christmas carols and putting together your holiday shopping list, know what to expect this month, weather-wise.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The ITCZ is an area in the atmosphere where winds from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres meet—a convergence that contributes to cloud formation. According to PAGASA, the axis of ITCZ is erratic so it may affect any part of the country, usually bringing cloudy skies and light to moderate rain showers.
Southwest monsoon
Although PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez explains that September is usually the time of the year when the southwest monsoon is nearing its termination period, this weather system can still come to play this month. The southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat”, is composed of warm and moist air that comes from the southwest direction. It causes monsoon rains or moderate to heavy rain showers that could last for days or a week. Know more about habagat through this article.
Low Pressure Area (LPA)
The LPA is an area that has lower atmospheric pressure than its surrounding locations. This is usually formed in the Pacific Ocean where most water vapor is available. LPA brings light to moderate and sometimes heavy rain showers. This could also intensify into a tropical cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone
Tropical cyclones are the general term for bagyo, and are classified into four: Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, Typhoon and Super Typhoon.
In September, an average of 3 to 4 tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Based on the forecast track, most of the cyclones will affect Central and Northern Luzon.
In September 2014, three cyclones entered the Philippine boundary:
Typhoon Luis
Typhoon Luis, with the international name Kalmaegi, made landfall in Northern Luzon. Almost 8,000 individuals were affected and displaced in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, as well as the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Tropical Storm Mario
Tropical storm Mario (internationally known as Fung-Wong) made landfall in the northern tip of Cagayan. The combined effect of Mario and the southwest monsoon caused heavy rains in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
More than 2 million individuals were affected in the 27 provinces of Regions I, II, III, IV-B, V, VII, CAR and NCR. 18 dead and 16 injured were reported as Mario left the Philippine Area of responsibility (PAR).
Tropical Depression Karding
Tropical depression Karding was first spotted as a low pressure area near Iba, Zambales. Karding did not make any landfall; however, it brought moderate to heavy rain showers in the western part of Luzon.
So don’t forget to arm yourselves with umbrellas and raincoats because according to PAGASA, there will be 22 days of rain this month. Minimum temperature is pegged at 24 degrees Celsius while the maximum is at 31.6 degrees Celsius.
Still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the low pressure area (LPA) was spotted at approximately 2,380 kilometers east of Visayas. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang, the said weather disturbance could possibly enter our boundary by next week, probably on Tuesday and Wednesday. Galang added that its possibility to develop into a tropical cyclone remains slim as of now. However, changes may still occur.
On the first Friday of September, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to affect Southern Luzon and Visayas. Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Quezon, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Batangas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. The rest of the country including Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.
For this month, here is a forecast of temperatures in the key cities of the Philippines:
PAGASA advises the public that the average number of tropical cyclones which may enter the PAR this month ranges from 2 to 4. Due to the prevailing El Niño, Galang says strong cyclones may form in the Pacific as they may generate energy from the heat and amount of moisture in the ocean. However, experts say that before these cyclones move closer to our country, some may re-curve northward, moving away from the landmass.
El Niño occurs when there is a rising sea surface temperature (SST) and unusual warming of the ocean. Based on the latest information from different weather and climate agencies throughout the globe, El Niño may intensify and continue in the coming months or might last until May of 2016.
Picture this: dark skies, the rain falling on the roof in a gentle rhythm, your window panes peppered with raindrops sliding down the glass intermittently like comets streaking across the sky. Something about the whole thing makes you want to dig up those poignant memories, or tune in to sad, sappy songs on the radio. Some may call it a touch of melancholy, but experts have given this weather-driven mood swings a name: Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
SAD is a depression disorder linked to the change in seasons, which women, who are naturally in touch with their emotions and prone to hormonal changes, are more likely suffer three times more than men. Though SAD is not limited to rainy weather, this disorder is only experienced by a minority during the summer.
According to psychologytoday.com, 10 million Americans are affected with SAD, with 10 – 20% experiencing its mild version, commonly felt by those below 20 years old when it rains.
Meanwhile, Dr. Concepcion Sy, a Clinical Psychologist, says it is rare for Filipinos to experience extreme SAD. Usually, Overseas Filipinos experience this disorder more frequently, especially during the Ber months. The cold weather, along with hormonal changes during menopause or menstrual-related events, may trigger emotions associated with emotional isolation and mild depression.
Here are some other common symptoms of SAD:
• Laziness
• Increase in appetite
• Preference to be left alone
• Lack of focus
When the emotions become too overwhelming, Dr. Sy recommends seeking psychological help. Its mild version, however, may be managed by socializing with friends, or for by being productive.
Even if the weather hinders you from leaving your home, you can still connect with loved ones through social media sites, and the telephone. Sometimes, a simple conversation or a simple task such as decluttering your room can go a long way in chasing those rainy day blues away.
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/seasonal-affective-disorder
https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder
Today marks the start of “ber” months, one of the most awaited seasons
of the year. As we start another month, the low pressure area (LPA)
remains within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is
still embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
These weather systems will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate
rains and isolated thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Central Luzon,
CALABARZON, Central and Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. The rest of the
country will have generally fair weather aside from possible isolated
thunderstorms.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz says the LPA has a slim chance of
developing into a tropical cyclone. In fact, it could weaken or might
dissipate tonight or early morning tomorrow. All are advised to
monitor updates from the weather bureau.
Since we are now welcoming a new month, here’s an overview on what to
expect this September. Starting off with the weather systems, various
weather systems are expected to affect the country. These include the
southwest monsoon, ridge of high pressure area, ITCZ, low pressure
area, and tropical cyclone.
Based on the climatological records of PAGASA, an average of two (2)
to four (4) tropical cyclones enter the PAR during this month.
Cyclones could recurve northward or move away from the landmass but
there is still the possibility of these making landfall, particularly
in Luzon.
In terms of rainfall, Loiz says most parts of the country will receive
below normal rainfall mostly over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan and Isabela as
the southwest monsoon or “habagat” gradually weakens.
