PAGASA is closely monitoring the new Tropical Depression outside the Philippine boundary, last located at 1,425 kms. east-southeast of Mindanao. According to Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, the weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon. Upon entering, it will be given the local name Onyok, the 15th cyclone for 2015.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Nona is now over the West Philippine Sea, and is expected to exit PAR by Friday. However, moderate to heavy rains are still possible within the 250-kilometer radius of the typhoon.
Today, stormy weather will be experienced in the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Island, Northern Oriental Mindoro, Bataan, Batangas and Cavite, which will experience rough to very rough seas.
Rains with gusty winds are expected over Metro Manila, Pampanga, Southern Zambales, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, the Calamian Group of Islands, and the rest of Oriental Mindoro.
Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in Northern Luzon, while light to moderate rains will be experienced in the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.
Public Storm Warning Signals
Public Storm Warning Signals are still in effect in some areas.
Storm surges of up to 2 meters are possible along the coastal areas under Signals number 2 and 3.
Simbang Gabi starts today
The long-cherished Filipino Catholic tradition of Simbang Gabi jumpstarts today. But take note, church-goers in Metro Manila: moderate to heavy rains are still possible due to Typhoon Nona.
Be weather-ready; get the latest weather information straight from PAGASA. Know more about the Panahon TV mobile app here. Panahon TV
C- limate Change affects everyone in millions of ways. From producing extreme weather events that destroy lives and properties, health, and the animals’ habitat, to effects of ocean acidification, coral bleaching, global security and economy, it is undoubtedly one of the most pressing global issues today.
The 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21), which happened in Paris, France from November 30 to December 12, 2015, aimed to discuss Climate Change concerns and create an agreement for a stronger climate action plan.
COP21 targets to build unity among leaders to create solutions, particularly in reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) from human activities—said to be a major contributor of Climate Change.
O – ver 100 world leaders committed to opt for renewable energy sources rather than the burning of fossil fuels. Renewables are projected to become the world’s leading source of energy in the coming years.
Since renewable energy is safer, cheaper and accessible to all, Greenpeace says that a100% renewable energy is achievable and cost-effective if placed under the right political decisions.
Meanwhile, the most developed countries still have the responsibility to continue providing financial support for its low or middle-income counterparts–the small and developing countries, which are at the frontline of Climate Change impacts. This will greatly help in the collective effort of Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.
P- ledges poured in as leaders expressed their willingness to help in combating the effects of the changing climate. Top emitters like China, United States, Europe, India, Russia, and Japan voluntarily committed in cutting down GHGs and pollution in the next two decades.
The Paris agreement said there would be transparency rules to encourage countries to practice what they have promised. All countries were required to submit reports of their emission and climate action efforts.
2 – º C or below of global temperature rise within the next few decades is the goal. Higher global temperatures may lead to more disastrous weather events, severe droughts, extreme heat, melting of ice, sea level rise, etc.
According to Climate Central, science researchers and policy makers in the 1990s described 2 degrees Celsius as the limit of warming that the earth could handle from the most disastrous outcome. In 2010, this 2 degrees Celsius was then formally recognized by the United Nations Climate Change group as the critical threshold.
“Since the late 1800s, the world has heated by about 1 degree Celsius,” Bernadette Woods Placky from Climate Central confirms. At this level, the planet has already been experiencing rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, record-breaking heat and more wildfires.
The COP21 showed how different countries all over the world strongly committed to keep the temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius—or if possible, 1.5 degrees Celsius. Though highly ambitious, this target will reduce the risks and impacts of Climate Change.
In a Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) held in Manila prior to the Paris conference, Saleemul Huq, the Director of International Center for Climate Change and Development in the University of Bangladesh, says, “If we want all countries and all people to be safe, we need a one and a half degree goal. It’s the right goal to have.”
1- st universal, legally binding deal on climate action finally became a success. According to Climate Central, the Parisian event was already the 21st conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change–yet none of the meetings held during the previous years achieved its goal.
For instance, in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol attempted to enforce arbitrary and genetic pollution reductions from developed countries. However, Europe was not able to fulfill its commitment because of economic declination, lack of support from the U.S. and the withdrawal of Canada. Only few nations formally supported the protocol.
COP21 pioneered a new approach that relied on voluntary commitments of world leaders to reduce the effect of Climate Change. Some are against the new approach, but most experts and nations are optimistic to try something different.
Sources:
Climate Central
Greenpeace
The Telegraph
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
http://www.cop21paris.org/
Typhoon Nona has weakened while moving towards Banton, Romblon. With maximum sustained winds of 150 kph and gustiness of 170 kph, Nona moves west at 15 kph. According to PAGASA Weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio, Nona is expected to leave the Philippine landmass today, and the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday. Meanwhile, another low pressure area (LPA) was located east outside PAR. Watch the full interview here: Panahon TV interview with PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio
Today, stormy weather will be experienced in Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Southern Quezon, Batangas and the islands of Calamian, Burias and Lubang with rough to very rough sea conditions.
Rains with gusty winds are expected over Metro Manila, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Masbate including Ticao island, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and the rest of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Bataan and Bulacan.
Cloudy skies with light rains are expected in Batanes, including Calayan and the Babuyan Group of Islands, while light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in the rest of the country.
Public Storm Warning Signals
Flash floods and landslides are expected in the areas under signals number 2 and 3. Storm surges may reach a maximum of 3 meters. Open sea wave height in areas under signal #1 may reach 1.25 to 4.0 meters.
#walangpasok | #NonaPH
Classes in these areas are suspended today, December 15, 2015 due to typhoon Nona.
Despite the busy days of preparing for the Christmas celebration, PAGASA alerts the public to monitor the weather as well. At 7:00AM today, the eye of typhoon “Nona” was last spotted at 135 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. Packing winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour, Nona is expected to move west at 17 kilometers per hour.
If Nona maintains speed and direction, it will possibly be at its closest distance to Northern Samar by early afternoon today. The typhoon will then make landfall over Sorsogon early tonight. After hitting the landmass, it will cross Albay province and may head towards Burias Island.
As Nona approaches the land, more areas were put under Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS).
Areas under Signal Numbers 3 and 2 are alerted against possible flash floods, landslides and storm surges of up to 4 meters.
Residents of Samar provinces, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Leyte, Masbate, Romblon, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Southern Quezon and the islands of Ticao, Biliran and Burias must prepare for stormy weather with rough to very rough sea condition. Rains with gusty winds are expected over Metro Manila, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Northern Negros Occidental, Capiz, Aklan, Mindoro, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Dinagat and the islands of Bantayan, Camotes, Lubang, Polillo and Siargao.
Meanwhile, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and gusty winds may be experienced over the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, while Cagayan Valley may have light rains due to the “Amihan”. The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
Gale Warning is also up over the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are not allowed to venture into the sea as rough to very rough sea conditions with wave height reaching 4.5 meters may be observed.
Meanwhile, another weather disturbance was spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). According to PAGASA, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) is still too far to affect the country.
Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Burias, Ticao Islands, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Dinagat province. In these areas, winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour are expected within 36 hours. Winds as strong as these may cause light damage to low-risk structures, may break twigs of small trees and damage rice crops as well.
At 10 AM today, based on the latest data from PAGASA, “Nona” was estimated at 565 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. Now carrying winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 140 kilometers per hour, it continues to move west-northwest at 19 kilometers per hour.
According to PAGASA, Nona is expected to make landfall over the Bicol-Samar area tomorrow afternoon or evening if it maintains speed and direction. Camarines Norte, Southern Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon may also be placed under storm signals tonight.
Upon making landfall, Javier says Nona has the possibility of slightly weakening after interacting with the landmass, and due to the influence of the Northeast Monsoon. The Northeast Monsoon or “Amihan” is characterized by cold and dry air, which may not be favorable for the intensification of the storm.
As Nona approaches the land, residents of Samar provinces are alerted against rains with gusty winds. The provinces of Surigao, Dinagat Island and Bicol Region will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, due to the “Amihan”, cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced over Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have isolated light rains, while the rest of the country can expect generally fair weather aside from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
For sea travelers, gale warning is up over the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon due to the winds associated with Nona. Wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters will be observed along the coastal waters of Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, the eastern coast of Albay and eastern coast of Sorsogon.
BE SAFE: Before and During a Storm
How do we prepare for an approaching storm? Here are some reminders for your safety and survival.
A couple of days before Christmas, the Tropical Storm with international name “Melor” has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at around 4:00A M today. It was given a local name “Nona”, the 14th tropical cyclone that entered the boundary this year.
At 10:00 AM today, it was estimated at 1, 025 kilometers east of Maasin, Southern Leyte. Carrying winds of 65 kilometer per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kilometer per hour, it is expected to move west-northwest at 17 kilometers per hour.
Nona may make landfall over Bicol Region on Tuesday morning if it maintains its speed and direction. Tomorrow morning, sea conditions in Southern Luzon and Visayas will become rough to very rough, making it risky for fishing boats and other seacraft to venture into the coastal waters. PAGASA Weather Specialist Rene Paciente says Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS) may be hoisted tomorrow afternoon in the Bicol and Samar areas.
PAGASA alerted the residents of Bicol and Eastern Visayas as occasional rains and gusty winds may be experienced over Northern Samar and Bicol Region starting Monday. As of now, Nona has no direct effect yet on any part of the country.
Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon continues to affect the Northern Luzon. Cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced in the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley. Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of isolated light rains and/or thunderstorms.
NONOY to NONA
The initial list of Tropical Cyclone names shows that the 14th cyclone that will enter the PAR this year will be named “Nonoy”. However, upon entering the PAR, the weather bureau decided to change it to “Nona”.
According to PAGASA, they changed the name because it sounds like “Noynoy,” which is the current president’s nickname. PAGASA Information Unit Chief Venus Valdemoro added that they do not want it to be offensive or linked to any prominent person. They also do not want people to focus on the name, but to emphasize the preparedness and urgency instead.
Because a collective effort must be done in order to fight the effects of rising global temperature, numerous solutions to Climate Change continue to be discussed at the Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, France.
It is the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 that jumpstarted the international political response to climate change. The convention aimed to address the issue of greenhouse gases (GHGs), while working with the UN Framework on Climate Change.
For the past 20 years, the annual Conference of Parties (COP) has been continuously reviewing the convention’s implementation. COP21 also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, aims to achieve its ambitious goal: to legally bind and have a universal agreement on keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
GHGs that are emitted through human activities are the main factor of Climate Change. Major GHGs such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are basically heat-trappers, having the capability to remain in the atmosphere and to absorb to energy. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, GHGs warm the climate, posing threats to people and environment. Reports from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) further state that GHGs concentration hit another record of a 36% percent increase from 1990 to 2014.
But in our own way, we can help lessen the effects of Climate Change by making better food choices.
Reports shows that about 44 to 57 percent of the total global GHGs emissions are associated to what we eat. Going vegan is one of the ultimate and effective ways to flight Climate Change because 51% percent of global GHGs emissions are from animal agriculture. Raising animal for food has largely become a source of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emission.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said that based on a British study, “Typical meat eaters who switched to a vegan diet reduced foot-related carbon footprint by 60% percent, saving 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.”
Carbon dioxide is released through the burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and oil. One calorie of protein from meat demands big amounts of fossil fuel energy because of the sheer amount grains fed to farm animals. Plus, forests are being cleared to provide pastureland for farmed animals.
Methane has 25 times of an impact on Climate Change, compared to carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Billions of chicken, turkeys, cows and pigs packed onto factory farms are the top source of methane.
PETA said nitrogen-based fertilizers used to grown animal feed have become a source of nitrous oxide. And significant amounts of nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere when there is a combination of manure and urine from farmed animals.
5 Tips for Eating Climate-Smart
Grow your own food. Organic food and agriculture are allies to actions against climate change. It maximizes renewable resources and enhances nutrient and energy flows in agro ecosystems. Emissions of nitrous oxides and methane from pastureland can be avoided through organic management. By doing away with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, you help nurture Mother Earth.
Go for fresh food. Processed food is energy-intensive. From fields sprayed with fertilizer, to animals being fed by grains that are grown using pesticides and fertilizers, and gasoline used to transport food—combined effects of all these food stages contributes to GHGs emission. Plus its plastic packaging adds to trash that pollutes the environment.
Go for naturally grown meat. Shift to restaurants that offer naturally grown meat. Organic meat is safe for consumption; processed meat usually have antibiotic residue. Organic meat comes from animals that are grass-fed or pasture-raised.
Buy local. Food transported to different grocery stores consumes a lot of gasoline, and that contributes to GHGs. So, in order to lessen food transportation, it’s time to buy local. Eat foods in season. Visit the nearest market or stall in your area.
Use food waste. Leftover foods can make carbon-rich soil. With microorganisms, food scraps are decomposed without creating methane gas, a type of GHG that that contributes to Climate Change.
So if you want to help fight Climate Change, eat healthier and wiser. How cool is it that you can eat your way to your health and protect the environment at the same time?
Sources:
http://www.cop21paris.org/about/cop21
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/video/2519/cfs-videos/food-and-climate/3212/be-climate-smart-with-cool-foods#
http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/ghg/
http://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/food_climate_change.pdf
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-s-thomas/climatesmart-eating-savin_1_b_6625050.html
http://www.livescience.com/37821-greenhouse-gases.html
https://www.wmo.int/media/content/greenhouse-gas-concentrations-hit-yet-another-record
The Trough of Low Pressure Area (LPA) outside PAR will bring light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Meanwhile, cold weather coupled with light rains is expected in Batanes and the islands of Calayan and Babuyan as the Northeast Monsoon or the Amihan continues to affect the extreme Northern Luzon. Fair weather with a chance of isolated light rains is expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. The rest of the country will enjoy fair weather conditions.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, as of 2 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was located at 1,700 kms. east of Mindanao. Said LPA might enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight or tomorrow morning. It might intensify in the coming hours as a Tropical Cyclone as it enters our boundary. There is a big chance that it will make its landfall in the Bicol Region or Eastern Visayas, though there is still the possibility of recurvature.
Aside from preparing your Christmas presents and gearing up for get-togethers, another exciting thing to do this December is to watch the skies—not to wait for Santa and his reindeer, but to witness the spectacular meteors!
Meteoroids VS Meteors & Meteorites
Meteoroids are small rocks or particles orbiting around the sun. Once a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it vaporizes and becomes a meteor, also known as a “shooting star” or bulalakaw in Tagalog.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as this space rock falls toward the Earth, the air resistance or drag makes it extremely hot. So what we see is not actually the rock, but the bright streak or the glowing hot air as it approaches the atmosphere.
If a small asteroid or large meteoroid survives its entry or passage through the atmosphere and lands on the surface of the Earth, it is called a meteorite.
December is an ideal month for astronomy enthusiasts as the Geminids Meteor Shower lights up the sky from December 4 to 17, 2015. Appearing to come from the constellation of Gemini, Geminids meteors do not originate from a comet, but from an asteroid. Meteors from this shower are very rocky and are more visible.
NASA explains that these meteors originated from the Asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which takes 1.4 years to orbit the sun. Phaethon is a small asteroid with a diameter of 5.10 kilometers.
Dubbed as a “dead comet”, the Phaethon does not develop a cometary tail when it passes by the sun. Its spectra look like a rocky asteroid instead.
3200 Phaethon was discovered by the Infrared Astronomial Satellite on October 11, 1983. Due to its close distance to the sun, Phaethon is named after the character in Greek mythology that drove the chariot of Helios (the God of Sun). But it was the astronomer, Fred Whipple, who recognized that the Geminids meteor shower originated from Phaethon.
The Geminids is considered as one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers. So mark your calendars now! Its peak activity is on the late night of December 14 until the early morning hours of December 15. PAGASA says that if good weather permits, an observer can witness around 40 meteors per hour.
Viewing Tips
– Get as far away from urban pollution as possible. Find a location with a clear or almost cloudless night sky.
– Search for the darkest patch of sky.
– Clothing matters! Wear clothes that suit cold overnight weather.
– Bring something comfortable for you to sit or lie down.
– It takes time, so be patient.
– Put away the telescope or binoculars, which may reduce the amount of sky you can see at once.
– Relax your eyes. Do not look at any specific spot.
– Avoid looking at your gadgets or any other light source which could disturb night vision.
– If you have to look at something on the surface of the Earth, use a red light.
Sources:
NASA
PAGASA-DOST
www.universetoday.com