We’ve said goodbye to the love month and have welcomed the 3rd month of 2016. As we march on, take time to get an overview of this month’s expected weather:
Goodbye “Amihan”?
PAGASA says the termination of the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as “Amihan”, usually happens in the first half of March. Amihan is cold and dry air mass that comes from the Mainland China or Siberia. It started to affect the country during the “ber” months of last year, and peaked in January to February.
However, Amihan may be down to its last hurrah this month as a gradual increase in daily temperature is now being experienced in most parts of the country. Wind direction is also starting to shift from northeasterly to easterly. Thus, termination of the Northeast Monsoon is imminent.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Benison Estareja, a slight upswing of temperature in upland areas like Baguio City will be the most evident. Here are the average minimum and maximum temperatures in the key cities of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao this March.
“Tag-init” bound
The weakening of Amihan means we are on our way to another season. Thus, we are already approaching the “tag-init” in the Philippines, wherein we’ll experience the effect of the easterlies.
Easterlies, on the other hand, are winds coming from the Pacific Ocean. As these winds intensify, air temperatures begin to soar, making the weather warmer and more humid.
Q: Do we really have “Summer” in the Philippines?
No we don’t. In Philippine context, the Hot and Dry season is the equivalent of summer. This marks the start of warm and humid days in the country.
The start of “tag-init” normally begins in the first or second week of March. Certain factors are observed before declaring the official Hot and Dry season. These include the consecutive rise of temperatures, termination of the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan, presence of a High-Pressure Area (HPA) and the prevailing Easterlies.
Rain and Shine
Different weather systems, which may cause warm weather but may still pose chances of rains, are expected to affect the archipelago. These include the Northeast Monsoon, Tail End of a Cold Front, Low-Pressure Area (LPA), Tropical Cyclone, Ridge of High-Pressure Area and Easterlies.
Despite the approaching “tag-init”, the possible formation of weather disturbance remains. In fact, there is an average of 0 or 1 tropical cyclone this March. Hence, PAGASA continues to remind the public to stay vigilant against a possible “bagyo”.
Based on the climatological records of the weather bureau, a cyclone’s path may be a hit or miss: (a) A cyclone may make landfall particularly in Visayas or Southern Luzon (b) A cyclone may re-curve, moving farther away from the landmass.
Last March 2015, Tropical Cyclone “Betty” was recorded to enter the Philippine boundary and brought rains over some parts of Luzon.
Annually, March signals the celebration of National Women’s Month. On this special time of the year, the country commends the achievement of women in various fields.
Even PAGASA’s forecasting team is blessed with hardworking women, who ensure the delivery of timely and accurate weather forecasts—something that may spell the difference between life and death in this country.
Let’s get to know these amazing women.
** GLAIZA ESCULLAR **
Escullar’s journey to PAGASA began in the afternoon of May 2007, when she heard a radio interview that talked about the weather bureau.
The guest that afternoon was Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz who had been part of PAGASA from 1982 until he retired in 2010. He became one of the few international meteorologists in Australia, but chose to go back in the country in 2011. Currently, he is the resident meteorologist of GMA network.
“Right after my birthday, I heard Mang Tani over a radio program where Miss Karen (radio anchor) asked him to explain the process of applying in the weather bureau. Mang Tani then mentioned the MTC (Meteorologist Training Course) training.”
Escullar added that she has just left her work at a Business Process Outsourcing company when the event happened. But the application itself became a test of her patience. “When I arrived at PAGASA, I was told that the application was already closed. I told them about Mang Tani’s interview over the radio and they eventually accepted my application.”
Instead of undergoing a training program, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sent her and some 29 colleagues to the Ateneo Graduate School.
Three years later, she was offered a position in the weather bureau.
The 30-year-old Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate of the Polytechnic of the University (PUP) Taguig shares that she feels fulfilled whenever she receives calls from the public, expressing gratitude to PAGASA.
Advantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
People in the workplace are more considerate with women but of course, you don’t take advantage of that.
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
Women have more health risks. Also, radio shows prefer male forecasters. They still feel uncomfortable to get female weather forecasters on board.
How do you plan to celebrate Women’s Month?
Actually, we didn’t know that it was Women’s Month, but we are going to Calaguas Island.
Are men and women equal?
They cannot be equal. There are always physical differences, but men and women match in intellect.
What is the essence of being a woman?
As a woman, you should highlight your strengths and not your weaknesses.
* * GLADYS SALUDES * *
Saludes never dreamt of becoming a weather forecaster, but fate always has its way.
Right after graduating with a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) in 2006, Saludes ventured into her own Internet café business.
Later on, a relative told her about the Meteorologist Training Course. She applied for it, and was sent to the Ateneo Graduate School by DOST. Eventually, she was offered a slot in the weather bureau.
Saludes humbly shared that she, along with Escullar, pioneered the presence of PAGASA in social media in 2010. As of this posting, PAGASA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have 1.5 million and 3.63 million followers respectively.
Advantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
Actually, my co-workers, along with the media were delighted when they found out that there were already female forecasters in PAGASA!
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
When menstrual cramps strike, I have to ask my colleagues to take over. Sometimes, I can’t come to work because of dysmenorrhea.
How do you plan to celebrate Women’s Month?
I’ll celebrate summer since it’s March already. I also plan to be fitter.
Are men and women equal?
Probably, there are still some who believe that women cannot do physical work.
What is the essence of being a woman?
All women grow old. Some stay single and will never get the chance to bear children. But for me, the essence of becoming a woman is the ability to influence a person to fear God.
* * SHELLY JO IGNACIO * *
Being part of the weather bureau is a career shift for this 24-year-old lady.
She graduated with a degree in Education majoring in Mathematics at the Bulacan State University, but she never thought of working PAGASA.
In 2012, one of her student’s mothers, who happened to be working at PAGASA, offered her to try the Hydrologists Training Course, and the rest, as they say is HERstory.
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
It’s a challenge to take public transportation for long distances. Men have no problem with this; they can squeeze themselves into crowded buses.
How do you plan to celebrate Women’s Month?
I will perform better in my work. As you can see, there are only a few women in this field.
Are men and women equal?
Though one can’t deny that there’s still discrimination, I believe that the standards are now equal. In fact, there are already female welders and drivers. Also, women are more trusted to do office work, as they are more meticulous.
What is the essence of being a woman?
I always believe that behind every successful person—no matter the gender— is a woman.
* * LORIEDIN DE LA CRUZ * *
At 22, de la Cruz is the youngest female weather forecaster in PAGASA.
She spent the first two years of studying Bachelor of Science in Meteorology in Bicol University, but later on transferred to DOST-PAGASA to spend the remaining years of her course.
De la Cruz then got the much-needed exposure to PAGASA, and while working as a financial advisor in an insurance company, she was initially hired by PAGASA as a weather observer.
Advantage of being a woman working in PAGASA
People are more considerate to women. They consider your safety when they plot out office schedules. They understand that you can’t be overworked.
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
As a single woman, I cannot see any disadvantage. I think this would apply more to working moms, since they have to care for their kids–not to mention the hazard and stress.
How do you plan celebrate Women’s Month?
By the end of the month, on Holy Week, I plan to go to Baguio for two days.
Are men and women equal?
Yes. I have not experienced any form of discrimination from school and in the workplace.
What is the essence of being a woman?
I always hear that the essence of being a woman is bearing a child. But what about those who are called to singlehood? For me, it depends on your situation and God’s will.
______________
This year’s theme for the International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality,” while the Philippines celebrates Women’s Month with the battle cry “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda.”
Needless to say, these two phrases encapsulate the desire to achieve parity between genders in the society.
So whether you are a student who wakes up daily with a sumptuous breakfast prepared by your mom, or a husband who gets encouragement from your wife, now is the time to appreciate the influence of your mother, daughter, wife, auntie or grandmother in your life! Give them a hug or tell them how grateful you are for having them.
Happy Women’s Day to our female forecasters in PAGASA and to all the women in the world!
Interviewees’ answers were translated from Filipino to English.
As the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan prevails, affecting Northern and Central Luzon, light rains will be experienced in the regions of Cagayan, Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon. Meanwhile, the Tail-End of a Cold Front will bring light to moderate rains over Bicol and Eastern Visayas, and the provinces of Quezon, Romblon and Marinduque. In the rest of our country, including Metro Manila, generally fair weather condition with a chance of localized thunderstorms is expected.
According to PAGASA, this week, including the weekend, is so far, weather disturbance-free. Updates on this will be given regularly.
Meanwhile, because of the surge of the Amihan, gale warning was raised in the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. It will be bringing rough to very rough sea conditions with wave height up to 3.4 to 4.5 meters, enough to overturn fishing boats and other small seacraft.
With the two dominant weather systems,the Northeast monsoon (Amihan) and the Tail-end of a cold front, light to moderate rains prevail in Bicol and the provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Samar. Light rains will also be experienced in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera, and the rest of Central Luzon. In the next hours, fair weather is expected in the rest of the country, including Metro Manila.
Due to the winds associated with the Amihan, gale warning was raised in the seaboards of Northern Luzon, and eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, and Visayas. Fisherfolk with small seacraft should avoid venturing into the said seaboards due to the rough to very rough sea conditions.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, the Hot and Dry Season usually begins in March and ends in May, but since the Amihan is still present in our country, this season will be put on hold for a bit. However, Aurelio added that the Amihan will slightly weaken this weekend.
As we step into another month, no weather disturbance or Tropical Cyclone is being monitored within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). However, some parts of Luzon may still experience rains due to the prevailing Tail End of a Cold Front and Northeast Monsoon or Hanging Amihan.
Bicol Region and the province of Quezon may be cloudy with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, while Cagayan Valley, Ilocos ,Cordillera and Central Luzon will experience light rains. Meanwhile, the rest of the country including Metro Manila, begins this month with a generally fair weather.
Gale warning is still in effect in the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Sea travel is risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft due to rthe ough to very rough sea conditions.
PAGASA says the peak of the Amihan usually occurs in January and February. Get a glimpse of some of the coldest days in February this year.
To gear us up this March, here are the weather systems expected to affect the country:
La Niña on its way?
These past few weeks, reports about the possibility of La Niña popped up in the social media. PAGASA says the current strong El Niño may weaken in the next few months and could later become neutral. However, the weather bureau is not dismissing the chance of La Niña which may occur by the beginning of “ber” months this year. Learn more about La Niña in this interview: