Weather Today – October 16, 2015 | #LANDOPH intensifies, threatens Northern Luzon

From a severe Tropical Storm, “Lando” has intensified into a Typhoon, now with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Moving west at 15 kilometers per hour, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar says it may hit Isabela tomorrow evening or Sunday morning. Heavy to intense rainfall associated with Lando is expected within the 550 kilometer-diameter of the typhoon.

As Lando nears the landmass, Public Storm Warning Signal number 1 was hoisted in several areas in Luzon. These areas are alerted against rains with gusty winds in the next few hours.

Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon still prevails, affecting Northern and Central Luzon. Locally known as “amihan”, this will possibly bring cloudy skies with light rains in Metro Manila, and the regions of Cordillera, Ilocos and Central Luzon. Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Aurora, Rizal and Quezon are advised to monitor updates as light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms may occur. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

Due to the combined effect of the amihan and Lando, rough to very rough sea conditions are expected in the northern and western seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. With wind force ranging from 52 to 63 kilometers per hour and wave height reaching 3.4 to 4.5 meters, sea travel is risky for small seacraft.

On the other hand, severe tropical storm “Champi” remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is now estimated at more than 2,000 kilometers east of Luzon. According to Escullar, as of now, it has a slim chance of entering our boundary but may come closer to the corner of the PAR before re-curving towards the southern part of Japan. Escullar added that PAGASA considers Champi as one of the factors affecting the movement of Lando.

Did you know?

Despite the fact that a Tropical Cyclone may bring hazards, it also has its benefits. About 50% of water in our dams and reservoirs comes from the cyclones that enter the PAR. These dams supply water to our households.

Angat Dam, which is reported to have below-normal water level during this season,badly needs to be replenished with rainfall. Escullar says two consecutive days of moderate to heavy rains are needed to manage the dam’s water level.

Rains to be dumped by Lando could increase its water level, helping the residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces to cope with the impending effects of the strong El Niño.

Rains brought by cyclones can also help farmers with their irrigation, especially those who are affected by dry conditions, dry spells and droughst. Aside from these, cyclones also clean the air and lessen the pollution.