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As the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan prevails in Northern Luzon, bringing moderately cold weather and light rains over Metro Manila and the regions of Cagayan valley, Ilocos and CORDILLERA. Meanwhile the Tail-end of a Cold Front will bring light to moderate rains over Central Luzon and the provinces of Quezon. As for the rest of our country, fair weather condition is expected.

5am-30
Due to the strong winds associated with the Amihan, gale warning is still raised in the seaboards of Northern Luzon. Fisherfolk and those with small seacraft are still not allowed to venture into the said seaboards due to rough to very rough sea conditions.

5am-gale warning
Meanwhile, according to PAGASA dry condition, dry spell and drought are still expected in the areas in Luzon, Visayas and in Mindanao. This coming December, El Nino might have a more intense effect on our country. The whole nation is encouraged to conserve water. Here are some tips:

water conservation

5am- 27

Moderately cold weather and light rains due to Amihan still prevails in Extreme Northern Luzon, particularly in the Cagayan Valley region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon. It will also be bringing fair weather with isolated light rains to the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Meanwhile, generally fair weather with a chance of localized thunderstorms is expected in the next hours over the rest of the country.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang, we are not expecting any weather disturbance inside and outside our area of responsibility until the end of the month–good news for those who want to take advantage of the long weekend.

5am-gale

Gale warning is still raised in the seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Due to the alert of big waves brought by the rough to very rough sea conditions, fishermen and those with small seacraft are not allowed from venturing into the said seaboards.

5am- 27

The Northeast monsoon or the Amihan dominates Luzon, bringing moderate cold weather and light rains in Extreme Northern Luzon, particularly in the Cagayan Valley region. Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will be experiencing fair weather with isolated light rains. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a chance of rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail in the next hours over Visayas and Mindanao.

Though Amihan is bringing cold weather and lights rains, PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said that it is not enough to cure even just a little of the dry conditions, dry spells and droughts in some areas in the country.

5am gale

Because of the strong winds associated with the Amihan, gale warning is still raised in the seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Fishermen and those with small seacraft are discouraged from venturing into the said seaboards due to the alert of big waves brought by the rough to very rough sea conditions.

Meanwhile, In-fa (Local name: Marilyn) has weakened to a Low Pressure Area or LPA. PAGASA said that it will dissipate in the coming hours as it moves towards the Pacific Ocean. In addition, we are not expecting another weather disturbance in the next three (3) days.

The presence of the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as Amihan, is now over Luzon. This means that lower temperatures are expected starting today.

Some parts of Luzon will experience partly cloudy sky and light rain showers while the Tail-End of a Cold Front will bring light to moderate rains in Eastern Visayas, CARAGA, Northern Mindanao and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The rest of the country will have good weather aside from isolated rains.

A not-so-cold December

temperatura

PAGASA said that though Amihan will bring colder days ahead, these will not be as cold compared to last year’s mainly because the country is still experiencing the effect of strong El Niño phenomenon that is most likely to continue until next year.

marilyn

PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz says Marilyn is now gradually recurving northward, away from the country. If it maintains speed and direction, it will possibly exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday.

At 7:00AM today, Typhoon “Marilyn” was estimated at 1,065 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. Garnering winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour, it is expected to move north northeast at 7 kilometers per hour.

Today, Eastern Visayas must prepare against cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Meanwhile, due to the Northeast Monsoon or “Amihan”, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected over Cagayan and Batanes.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have a generally fair weather. which suits outdoor activities. However, some areas could still have isolated thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Sea travel remains risky for fishing boats and other small sea craft over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon. Wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters may be experienced in the mentioned areas.
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Loiz added that the current strong El Niño phenomenon has also something to do with the track and intensity of cyclones entering the PAR. A cyclone tends to intensify just before it approaches our boundary because of the warmer ocean or higher temperature. Also, it has a higher chance of recurving northward, moving away from the landmass.

11.23. 5am

Based on the 5 AM weather forecast of PAGASA, Typhoon Marilyn was last located at 1,175 kms. east of Baler, Aurora. Marilyn has slightly weakened with maximum winds of 160 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 195 kph. It continuously moves west northwest at the speed of 20 kph.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Benison Estareja, Marilyn is expected to have a re-curvature northward possibly by Wednesday or Thursday as it exits PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility).

5am marilyn track

Though Typhoon Marilyn is inside our boundary, the light to moderate rains in Eastern and Central Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN and Davao region are due to the effect of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Meanwhile, Amihan or the Northeast Monsoon is the reason for the partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains prevailing over Batanes, Calayan and the Babuyan group of islands. Generally fair weather, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms, is expected over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

gale warning 23. 5am

Because of Typhoon Marilyn, Amihan is intensified, raising gale warning over the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon, and eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. Fishing boats and small seacraft are advised not to venture due to the rough to very rough sea conditions. The he rest of our coastal areas might experience light to moderate sea conditions.

21-5am

Light to moderate rains will be experienced over Eastern Visayas and the regions of Caraga and Davao. This is due to the effect of the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ that remains to be the dominant weather system in the country.

Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a chance of rain showers and/or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

in-fa 11.21.15
Typhoon In-fa gains more strength as it heads towards our boundary on Sunday evening or Monday morning. But according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, In-fa will have a re-curvature and will not make landfall in the country. It continues to move west-northwest with a speed of 20 kph. As of now, its last location was at 2,000 kilometers east of Mindanao with maximum winds of 150 kph and gustiness up to 185 kph.

When In-fa enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it will be given the local name of “Marilyn.” It will be the first tropical cyclone for the month of November and the 13th cyclone in the Philippines. Recently, 9 out of 12 of the tropical cyclones we experienced did not make landfall, and this is due to the effect of the strong El Niño.

forest fire

The forest fire in Indonesia that began in July caused haze in nearby countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Southern Thailand. Kalimantan (Borneo) and Western Sumatra in Indonesia are among the worst hit areas.

19 people have died, while approximately 500,000 cases of respiratory tract infections were recorded. According to the Indonesian government, damages in the region’s economy may be as high as $47 billion.

The cause is Slash and Burn, a process of forest clearance where land is set on fire in preparation for planting. In the Philippines, this is called as kaingin. Because most part of Indonesia’s forests is made of peat soil, which is highly flammable, fires tend to spread farther.

Reports from Climate Central said that forest fires happen annually in Indonesia, but this year is second to the most prolific burn that has ever been recorded, especially since the El Niño has aggravated it.

According to PAGASA, during the onslaught of Lando (international name Koppu) on October 14 to 21 this year, haze has been reported in some parts of the country, including Zamboanga, Davao, Cotabato and Cebu. Lando blew in winds from Indonesia, causing the haze to spread in the country.

Understanding Haze

Haze, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, is visible when sunlight encounters pollution particles present in the air, reducing the clarity and colors of objects.

Based on the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the haze in the affected areas cause no harm to the community. Although the Department of Health (DOH) announced that the haze-affected air is still safe to breathe, residents are advised to take precautionary measures. Staying indoors with good ventilation and wearing dust masks when going outside the house is highly advisable.

Extreme haze conditions pose health risks. Particulate matter less than 10 micrometers can penetrate the lungs; its effects linked to premature death, difficulty in breathing, and increased respiratory symptoms among children.

The DOH reminds those with cardiovascular diseases that haze can increase respiratory tract infections and cardiac ailments.

Photo Credit: Department of Health
Photo Credit: Department of Health

Haze can also affect industrial sectors. Because it can obscure the clarity of the surroundings and the atmosphere, transportation and tourism may be affected.

According to Climate Central, fire emissions in Indonesia have surpassed Japan’s annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). These contribute to rising global temperatures that may lead to more disastrous events, such as more frequent Super Typhoons and the melting of polar ice caps that could lead to sea level rise.

temperatura

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit 2015 currently happening in Manila is setting the stage for greater progress in mitigating Climate Change. Another global Climate Change conference will be held in Paris on November 30 to December 11, 2015. Through these conferences, more and more countries are getting involved in fighting this global concern.

Read more about Climate Change through this link: Climate Clever: 10 Climate Change Terms You Need to Know Now

Source:

http://www3.epa.gov/visibility/what.html
http://haze.asean.org/about-us/information-on-fire-and-haze/
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/nov/11/indonesia-forest-fires-explained-haze-palm-oil-timber-burning

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Though weather these BER months may not be as cold as that in previous months because of the El Niño ( http://www.panahon.tv/blog/2015/10/el-nino-getting-stronger-threatens-ph-until-2016/ ), we cannot deny that we’ve been waking up to cooler, crisper air these past few weeks. To make sure you’re prepared for the weather changes, keep these five things in your bag.
1 jacket

A no-brainer essential when it’s cold, a jacket can also be a handy way to protect you from the sudden rains. Opt for hoodies that can keep your head dry and warm during cold, rainy days.
1 scarf

If wearing jackets is not your thing, shawls and scarves are fashionable ways to keep warm. There are several ways to wear them too—as a shrug, as a wrap, as a neck warmer. With several designs and colors to choose from, these accessories don’t only make you look good; you can also use them to wipe off sweat, as a pouch, or as a blanket for an impromptu picnic! When it’s sunny, use it to cover your head as a stylish sunscreen.
1 lotion

When cold weather comes, expect dry skin. That’s because the air holds less moisture at this time. To prevent skin from drying out, which makes it more susceptible to skin breakage, always bring a small bottle of lotion, which you can apply several times during the day.

1 lip balm

During this season, our lips are also at the mercy of cold weather. Avoid chapped, cracked lips by regularly using lip balm. Remember that lip balm is not just a girl thing; there are plenty of untinted lip balms guys can use. Moisturize your lips because extreme dryness can lead to sores, which can be pretty painful.
1 water

During cold weather, our bodies sometimes lose their sense of thirst. Be conscious of your water intake, and always bring a bottle of water with you at all times. This helps keep you hydrated and energized even when it’s cold.