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april 7

The Easterlies still dominate the eastern section of Central and Southern Luzon, as well as Visayas and Mindanao, while the Ridge of High Pressure Area continues to extend over Northern Luzon. These two weather systems will be bringing good weather condition all over the country, including Metro Manila. However, there are still chances of isolated rain showers and/or thunderstorms mostly in the eastern section of the country.

With such weather perfect for outdoor activities, we listed five mountains in Batangas beginners can take on. Just make sure you take the necessary precautions before you begin the climb!

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With the prevailing Easterlies, warm and humid weather will continue in most parts of the country. Easterlies are winds coming from the Pacific Ocean, which usually affect the eastern section of the country. These winds become dominant during the Hot and Dry season, resulting to higher temperatures.

PAGASA says the whole archipelago will experience generally fair weather with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Some may ask how it’s possible for thunderstorms to occur during “tag-init”.

This is because the accumulated heat during the day may speed up the water cycle. Clouds may form in the latter part of the day, generating localized thunderstorms that may last for 1 to 2 hours.

Yesterday, temperatures soared in some parts of the country. Here are the highest temperatures recorded, with General Santos City consistently on top of the list.

HIGHEST TEMP (2)

When air temperature and relative humidity combine, much higher temperatures are expected. Heat index, which indicates how the human body perceives the heat, is also monitored regularly. Here’s what to expect on today’s “init” feels:

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Beware of Rip Currents

Planning to go swimming with your friends? Before you take a dip, be familiar with one of the swimming risks that many people are not yet aware of.

Warnings about rip currents or rip tides have been circulating in social media these past few days. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-flowing water.

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Usually, rip currents appear with a 5 to 10-meter gap in a compact area of inward-flowing waves. This phenomenon is dangerous for swimmers because the current can drown you once you get caught in it.

When you encounter rip currents, don’t panic. It becomes harder to think of ways and find solutions if you are in a state of panic. You also have to save your strength to escape. Remember not to swim directly back to shore and instead, swim parallel to it.

This vacation season, awareness remains to be the key to safety. Share this to your friends and help save lives!
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Sources:
PAGASA-DOST
NOAA
http://brightside.me/

APRIL WEATHER 2016
It’s the fourth month of the year, and we are now feeling the scorching heat! But this is just an introduction to what we can expect, weather-wise, this April.

Rainfall
With the prevailing El Niño, dry days are definitely not over yet. Most parts of the country may still experience below-normal rainfall this month. While some parts of Mindanao may receive a slightly improved amount of precipitation, Visayas and almost the entire Luzon will only have a 41 to 80% chance of rain.
APRIL RAINFALL FORECAST 2016

Temperature
Warm and humid weather is expected to continue. Thus, temperatures will continue to rise along with the heat index. Also called “human discomfort index”, the heat index determines how our body perceives the warm weather. Obtained when relative humidity is added to the air temperature, the heat index is around 3 degrees Celsius higher than the air temperature.

Here are the average temperatures in the key cities of the Philippines:
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES 2016

Weather Systems
Several weather systems will prevail in the Philippine boundary, including the Ridge or the extended part of a High Pressure Area (HPA.) This will bring good weather because unlike a Low Pressure Area (LPA), HPA produces fewer clouds, bringing less chances of rain.

Easterlies, on the other hand, will dominantly affect the eastern section of the country, bringing warm and humid weather to the affected areas. However, since heat is a major ingredient for cloud formation, Easterlies may also generate isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

The Tail end of a Cold Front may also extend over the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). This refers to the extended part of a frontal system, which is the boundary or meeting point of two air masses wherein the cold air dominates the warm.

Another converging system, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), can also oscillate or move towards our boundary. ITCZ is a breeding ground of weather disturbances. Hence, formation of Low Pressure Areas and Tropical Cyclones is still possible.
APRIL WEATHER SYSTEMS 2016

Cyclones
PAGASA says that despite the blazing heat, an average of 0 or 1 tropical cyclone may enter or develop within the PAR. Last year, we monitored a cyclone on April 1 to 5, 2015. Tropical cyclone “Chedeng” dumped rains and brought strong winds in the eastern section of Luzon.

Chedeng weakened into a Low Pressure Area after making landfall in the Isabela area. Its passage within our boundary coincided with the observance of Holy Week last year.
CHEDENG Track

Astronomy
Meteor lovers will have a dazzling April due to the Lyrids meteor shower! If good weather permits, a dozen meteors per hour await sky watchers. Its peak will be on April 22 to the early hours (predawn) of April 23 this year. Though it may not create an abundant display, lyrids are considered to be bright and fast meteors.
LYRIDS METEOR SHOWER
The figure below shows the position of the radiant of the meteor shower at the constellation Lyra, the Lyre.
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As Easterlies continuously affect the eastern section of the country, expect good weather condition all over, including Metro Manila–though with still chances of localized thunderstorms in the aftenoon or everning.

Because it’s the perfect weather to take a dip, here are some of the metro’s public swimming pools that are friendly on the pocket:

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