(UPDATED AS OF 11:00 AM) The Low Pressure Area (LPA) and Tail-End of a Cold Front dumped almost a month’s volume of rain in one day in some provinces earlier this week.
In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong said that the biggest amount of rainfall was recorded in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte on Monday, January 16, 2017. Rain amounted to 209.7 millimeters of rain, almost double the average of rainfall expected in a month.
In Misamis Oriental, 72.4 millimeters of rain were recorded in the 24-hour monitoring. This period almost surpassed the station’s total average rainfall for January, which is 98.9 millimeters. Widespread rains in the province caused flooding in Cagayan de Oro, forcing local officials to declare a state of calamity.
photos courtesy of John Ian Udang and Rowena Ambit
Two days after the flood, rains are still likely to prevail in some parts of Mindanao.
The Tail-End of a Cold Front continues to affect Visayas and the eastern section of Mindanao, while the Northeast Monsoon remains dominant in Luzon.
This midweek, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in Visayas, Mindanao at Palawan.
Light rains will be experienced in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the province of Aurora, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
If you were satisfied with the chilly ber months, brace yourselves for colder days! The Amihan Season isn’t over yet and is, in fact, now at its peak! Here are some things to expect in the coming days, which also doubles as a possible playlist this cold season.
1. “Baby, it’s cold outside.” (Michael Bublé)
Have you noticed the slightly cooler weather these past few days? Amihan is responsible for this sweater weather. Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China and Siberia, causes our temperatures to drop mostly in the country’s northern regions.
In recent reports from Benguet, frost has blanketed some of the vegetable fields. Historically, here are the lowest temperatures recorded in the Philippines during the peak of amihan:
2. “Raindrops keep falling on my head.” (BJ Thomas)
Apart from the chill, light rains may also occur during this season. Usually, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains affect Northern and Central Luzon. But whenever a Low Pressure Area (LPA) or tropical cyclone prevails within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the northeasterly winds may converge with it, dumping rainfall over the affected areas.
3. “Somebody take the storm away.” (Bobby Brown)
The peak of amihan does not equate to the absence of tropical cyclones. At least 1 or 2 tropical cyclones may still enter our premises. In fact, the stronger the amihan is, the higher the chance of the cyclone hitting the land. Amihan tends to divert the pathway of cyclones entering the PAR. So, aside from moving in a more northward direction, cyclones are being pushed down to the landmass.
4. “You’re hot and you’re cold.” (Katy Perry)
The cold and dry characteristics of amihan are the opposite of what a cyclone needs to sustain its energy. A cyclone needs warm and moist surroundings to maintain its intensity. If amihan strengthens, it may cause a cyclone or an LPA to weaken and may even dissipate.
5. “Ocean deep, I’m afraid to show my feelings.” (Cliff Richard)
Just like the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, amihan can also trigger rough coastal waters. Gale warnings are usually issued by PAGASA in areas with strong to gale force winds. Rough to very rough sea conditions may interrupt sea travel as sea conditions may be risky for fishing boats and other small sea craft.
