Christmas spirit is in the air as the Amihan continuously brings cold winds in extreme Northern Luzon, while the Easterlies is still affecting the eastern section of the country.
As Amihan brings good weather conditions with isolated light rains in the provinces of Batanes and the islands of Calayan and Babuyan, those who are celebrating Christmas in Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago can also expect generally fair weather.
Meanwhile, according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jorie Loiz, Bagyong Onyok may be the last bagyo to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year. And though the strong El Niño is still in effect, cold weather is still possible next month until February next year.
A day before Christmas, the Amihan brings good weather conditions with isolated light rains in the provinces of Batanes, and over the islands of Calayan and Babuyan. For those who will be visiting their family and loved onesin Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Sorsogon, the Easterlies will be bringing light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. In Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago, generally fair weather is expected today. Still Manileños should remain mindful of the possible isolated rain showers and/or thunderstorms.
For the last Simbang Gabi tomorrow, here is your weather guide:
At this time, some may already have completed their gifts to be displayed under their Christmas trees; but for last-minute shoppers who are tearing their hair out, wondering what to buy for friends and family, Panahon TV came up with its own list of gift suggestions, which have great sentimental value, but low environmental impact.
Water Tumbler
A plastic bottle takes over a thousand years to biodegrade and if burned, it may produce toxic gases, which contribute to Climate Change. The escalating demand for plastic bottles produces unnecessary garbage, and consumes large quantities of energy, particularly fossil fuels, such as crude oil.
In the Philippines, these plastic menaces litter our seas and other bodies of water – a problem that incessantly occurs and affects us during heavy rainfall and flooding.
Gifting someone with a water tumbler not only lessens the use of plastic, it also encourages the recipient to eliminate the habit of spending or buying mineral water.
Reusable Bag
These eco-friendly bags are the perfect gifts for moms, titas and sisters, who are fond of shopping or doing errands that require safekeeping, carrying and organizing stuff.
A reusable bag is the perfect alternative to plastic or paper bags. It can be used anytime, anywhere, while avoiding of additional waste.
Sneakers
If your friend loves fashion, as well as comfort, a pair of sneakers is a no-brainer gift. Make sure to enclose a note to remind the recipient how walking can be a great alternative to driving. Vehicles uses up fossil, and its emissions contribute to air pollution – which according to the World Health Organization, is linked to millions of premature deaths every year.
Bicycle
If you’re generous enough, giving a bike as a gift is also a good option. Based on a study of the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), cycling may help cut down carbon emissions from urban transportation by about 11% by 2030.
Aside from walking, biking is a clean and healthy source of community transportation. Biking does not only lessen emissions and traffic, it is also a great way to be fit and healthy!
Indoor plants
For a friend blessed with a green thumb, a perfect gift to give this Christmas is an indoor plant. There are a variety of plants that could be taken care of within your home or office.
Plants are vital sources of oxygen and are good absorbers of carbon. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the leading greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted in the atmosphere. In a greenhouse gas bulletin released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the average global atmospheric CO2 level in 1750 was at around 278 parts per million (ppm). In 2014, it increased to 397.7ppm, and by 2016, it is expected to crawl up to more than 400ppm.
Plants and trees are an effective way to combat the adverse effects of Climate Change. These plants could lessen the carbon concentration while providing us with clean air.
Museum Trip
Giving toys to children may be a common gesture, but why not try something more exciting and educational? You can opt to give kids a free museum trip this Holiday Season. This way, they learn to appreciate science, arts and culture while enjoying the spirit of Christmas.
These are just some of the eco-friendly gifts you can give to your loved ones. Remember that no matter what the season is, Climate Change will always be an important concern. In choosing and buying your presents this Christmas, also consider its long-term impacts to our planet.
Sources:
World Health Organization
World Meteorological Organization
Institute of Transportation and Development Policy
http://thewaterproject.org/
www.railstotrails.org
http://usa.streetsblog.org/
Meteor showers usually get their names from the constellation where their radiant point lies, and for the Ursids Meteor Shower, its point can be seen at the Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Bear constellation. This meteor shower’s peak can be seen near the December Solstice and this year, it is scheduled from December 21- 22.
Because this year is the first time in 38 years that we will be experiencing a Full Moon on Christmas Day, the Ursid Meteor Shower may be a bit more challenging to watch. Dark skies are your best bet in spotting the shower–something that might not occur because of the Full Moon illuminating the sky.
But don’t lose hope in seeing the 5 to 10 meteors per hour shower before dawn tonight, as we can still possibly see its peak. Just camp somewhere far from city lights as this will increase the chances of viewing it clearly. And the good news, according to PAGASA, is that there is no weather disturbance expected in at least 3 days, which means the night skies will be clear, ready to stage the meteor show.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz said that cold weather will probably continue until Christmas day. The Northeast Monsoon is expected to intensify in the coming days, plus longer nights ahead will contribute to lower temperatures. Know more about Winter
Solstice through this link: Winter Solstice
Another good news is that no weather disturbance is being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Today, the Northeast Monsoon will bring isolated light rains in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. The provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience light to moderate rains due to the Tail Dnd of a Cold Front affecting the eastern section of Central Luzon. Meanwhile, Visayas and Mindanao will have good weather today.
Watch Panahon TV’s interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz through this link: Panahon TV December 22, 2015
When: On December 22 at 4:48 UTC, the December Solstice or Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.
Why it’s important: It also heralds the official winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, and the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. At this point, the sun reaches its farthest point from the equator.
What it means: In Latin, the word solstice is derived from sol, which means, “sun” and sistere, which means to “stand still.”
What causes it: Solstice is an astronomical event mainly caused by the Earth’s tilt on its axis. During December, the Earth is positioned in a way that the sun stays below the North Pole, the farthest south as it ever gets. Countries below the equator experience this phenomenon with daylight of more than 12 hours, while locations above the equator experience daylight of less than 12 hours.
In the Philippines, on December 22 at exactly 12:48 AM (Philippine Standard Time PST), the Sun will reach its Winter Solstice. This will be the start of Philippine nights being longer than daytime.
According to PAGASA, the Northeast Monsoon will intensify a week before the New Year. This means that the cold breeze and longer nights will equate to the perfect mood for Christmas!
How will it affect the Philippines? Watch PanahonTV’s interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz to know more. Winter Solstice
sources:
http://pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/28-astronomy/424-sky-this-month
After making landfall over CARAGA-Manay, Davao Oriental at around 9:30PM yesterday, Tropical Depression Onyok has weakened as a Low Pressure Area (LPA). All Public Storm Warning Signals were lifted, and according to PAGASA Weather Buddy Javier, the LPA may further weaken or dissipate in the next two days.
At 4:00 AM today, the weather disturbance was last located in the vicinity of Makilala, North Cotabato. Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan prevails in Luzon.
Today, Mindanao, Bicol Region, Central & Eastern Visayas, and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms, which may trigger flash flood and landslides.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains, while Western Visayas should be prepared for light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms.
As the Amihan blows, rough to very rough sea conditions are expected over the Northern, Eastern and Western seaboards of Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Gale warning is still in effect ,so fishing boats and other small seacraft are not advised to venture out into the seas, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
Javier added that Metro Manila will continue to experience rains within the next two days due to the Amihan. We’ll also feel more of the cold weather as we approach its peak season, usually in January and February.
To know more about today’s weather, watch our interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier:
The Low Pressure Area (LPA), formerly Nona, already dissipated yesterday. PAGASA continues to monitor Onyok, which remains as a Tropical Depression with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour. Moving west at 17 kilometers per hour, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez says that if Onyok maintains speed and direction, it will possibly make landfall inr Surigao del Sur tonight, between 8:00 to 10:00 PM.
Meanwhile, according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, Onyok is expected to weaken as an LPA by Sunday and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday.
As the Tropical Depression moves closer to the landmass, Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 is up over some parts of Mindanao, where flash flood and landslides are possible in low-lying and mountainous areas.
Aside from Onyok, the Northeast Monsoon prevails, affecting the Northern Luzon. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Gale warning is still up over the northern, eastern and western seaboards of Luzon, and over the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Sea travel is risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft. For areas under Signal Number 1, all types of sea vessels are automatically not allowed to venture into the sea.
Javier, in an interview with Panahon.TV, brought some good news. No weather disturbance or tropical cyclone is expected to enter or affect the PAR in the next 2 to 3 days. However, all are still advised to monitor updates especially now that we have only a few days to go before Christmas.
As we expect Tropical Depression (TD) Nona to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this weekend, TD Onyok crossed the PAR line yesterday afternoon. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, it is forecast to make its landfall tomorrow afternoon or in the evening in the Caraga region. And as of 4:00 AM today, Onyok was last located at 700 kms. east-northeast of Mati City, Davao Oriental, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph. It moves westward at 15 kph.
Meanwhile, Nona remains stationary at its location of 60 kms. east of Iba, Zambales. Javier adds that it may continuously weaken into a Low Pressure Area (LPA) in the next 24 hours. Public Storm Warning Signal number 1 is still raised over Pangasinan and Zambales.
With the two (2) tropical cyclones inside our boundary, rains with gusty winds prevail in the areas with Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1. Meanwhile, moderate to occasionally heavy rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Cagayn Valley, Cordillera, and the rest of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region, possibly triggering flash floods and landslides. Light to moderate rains are at expected over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Caraga and Davao Region. Fair weather conditions will be experienced in the rest of the archipelago.
Gale warning was raised in the seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the western and eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Because of the rough to very rough sea conditions, fisher folk and those with small seacraft are advised to avoid venturing into the said seaboards.