A rainy Thursday morning welcomed residents of Luzon due to the presence of the Southwest Monsoon or hanging habagat. At 8:00 AM today, light to moderate rains soaked parts of Quezon City and nearby areas.
In the next hours, cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail in the regions of Ilocos, Western Visayas and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Mindoro, Palawan and Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of rain showers or thunderstorms, which may occur at anytime of the day.
Habagat 101
Habagat is characterized by warm and moist winds which may trigger rains mostly in the western section of the country. Habagat is usually enhanced when a tropical cyclone or Low Pressure Area (LPA) exists within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
However, the habagat can bring heavy rains which may last for days even without a presence of a weather disturbance. During the peak of habagat, flash floods and landslides are highly possible.
In a press conference held yesterday, PAGASA said the onset of rainy season for 2017 will commence between May 28 to June 8.
While some parts of Luzon are already experiencing rains, PAGASA clarified that “tag-ulan” season has yet to begin in the country.
In a press conference held at the PAGASA Weather and Flood Forecasting Center on Wednesday afternoon, the bureau confirmed the start of the southwesterly windflow or weak habagat that brings rains in Palawan and Mindoro provinces. However, only three out of the eight monitoring stations of PAGASA under Climate Type 1 have satisfied the established criteria: a total of 25 millimeters or more of rain, with three consecutive days having at least 1 millimeter of rainfall per day.
According to PAGASA, the onset of rainy season may be declared between May 28 to June 8.
Here’s the report:
After the sweltering heat, we are now expecting cloudier days as the Rainy Season approaches. The weak Hanging Habagat or Southwesterly Surface Windflow is the dominant weather system, particularly affecting Luzon.
Because habagat is characterized by warm and moist winds, this can trigger rains mostly in the western section of Luzon. In the next hours, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will prevail in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, as well as the province of Palawan.
Metro Manila and the remaining parts of the archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with rain showers or thunderstorms. Compared to the previous weeks, thunderstorms may be more frequent and may now occur at any time of the day.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong, a cloud cluster is being monitored near Taiwan, within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Quitlong said if it maintains circulation, this may develop into a Low Pressure Area (LPA) which could enhance the habagat.
Despite the habagat’s presence, PAGASA has yet to officially declare Tag-ulan because some of the criteria have yet to be observed. However, the public is advised to be vigilant and to prepare for heavier rains in the coming days.
When sleep becomes elusive, everyone has a different strategy to catch some zzzs. Some recommend a hot bath or drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed; others play nature sounds or avoid caffeine when bedtime nears.
But there’s another tip that may not be as popular, yet might just work for you. Check out these herbal sleeping aids that may help you in the snooze department, but can also bring vitality to your living space.
1. Snake Plant
Courtesy: Www.linkedin.com
The snake plant acts as a natural filter that improves air purity in your home by constantly releasing huge amounts of oxygen. Poor air quality can interrupt sleeping patterns, while oxygen purity can give us a good night’s sleep. Clean air also energizes us, making us feel rested throughout the day.
This plant can live in just about any type of light. It’s one of the easiest plants to take care of, and can be watered as little as every 2 to 3 weeks.
2. Lavander
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Who doesn’t love the scent of lavander? It not only smells wonderful, but can also reduce anxiety and stress—both hurdles to a healthy sleep pattern. Lavander is also found to help calm babies. It belongs to the mint family with some of its varieties able to thrive here in Philippines
But in case you can’t get hold of fresh lavander, you can still reap the benefits of its scent through essential oils and potpourri.
Lavender needs to live in a bright light, so place it on the windowsill or under a grow light, if possible. it’s extremely easy to maintain because it can survive without habitual watering.
3. Aloe Vera
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It is said that aloe vera increases oxygen supply at night, which helps combat insomnia and improve overall quality of sleep. Like the other plants mentioned, aloe vera doesn’t require any habitual watering, which makes it one of the easiest to grow and maintain.
Keep it by your bedroom window as it needs a lot of direct sunlight.
These plants are a simple reminder that we, humans, though frequently shut inside the concrete of our homes and workplaces, are part of a rich and primal ecosystem. Plants, humans, the earth, water and air are all interconnected. In an atmosphere of give-and-take, everyone benefits. Try caring for these plants; your body will thank you for it.
By: Shelly Camile R. Chan- Panahon.TV-Intern
Residents in Luzon, ready your umbrellas because it’s going to be a rainy Tuesday. The Low Pressure Area still being monitored by PAGASA, was last spotted at 1,200 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes and is expected to exit PAR within today.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez, this weather disturbance enhances the southwesterly winds, bringing light to moderate rains in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
The remaining parts of the country, including Visayas and Mindanao, will still experience generally fair weather but with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.
The Hot and Dry Season is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities and good food. But the problem is, in this type of weather, food can easily spoil.
When temperatures rise, oxidation happens faster, making bacteria multiply. Microbes that cause the spoilage also thrive in warm temperature.
Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:
1. Seal it shut. Airtight containers are a must in storing rice, grains, and dried seeds. These help prevent contamination from microbes found in your surroundings.
courtesy: http://treading-lightly.com/
2. Follow your nose. Do not eat anything that smells foul or tastes off. This is especially true for food kept out of the fridge for more than five hours.
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3. Follow the three-day rule. Consume leftovers in the fridge within three days. If you can’t, freeze them.
courtesy: http://blog.fillmorecontainer.com/
4. Freeze, thaw then cook. Thaw frozen foods then cook immediately; otherwise these will spoil due to bacteria. During the thawing process, the defense brought by freezing decreases, allowing microbes to invade. Immediately cooking or reheating the food will prevent this scenario.
courtesy: http://www.diynetwork.com
5. Cool down hot food before putting in the fridge. Before refrigeration, let hot food cool down for no more than two hours to avoid bacteria overgrowth causing food poisoning. Separate food into smaller containers to help it cool down faster.
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6. Know how to store food on the go. When traveling, cool your food and store them in ice boxes to make them last longer.
courtesy: www.fireflybuys.com
7. Turn up the cold. Max your refrigerator’s thermostat this season. Keep raw meat in the freezer to slow down the movement of molecules. This will allow microbes to enter a dormant stage, thereby preventing spoilage. Raw veggies are best stored in coolers/crispers to retain their nutrients.
courtesy: refrigerators.reviewed.com
8. Separate raw from cooked food. The bacteria in raw food can spoil cooked dishes.
courtesy: healthinspectorsnotebook.blogspot.com
9. Rice and shine. While cooking rice, put in a few drops of vinegar to the water to preserve cooked rice in hot weather. A few drops will not affect the rice’s taste.
10. Keep your hands clean. To prevent contamination, wash your hands before touching any food, raw or cooked.
courtesy: drimanfirmansyah.com
Keeping your food fresh does not only help you save money, it also saves you from potential illnesses, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea which are symptoms of food poisoning. Although proper food handling should be done with extra care during the hot season, this practice should be observed all year round.
By: Michael Bon D. Galang – Panahon.TV Intern
On back-to-work Monday, a Low Pressure Area is still being monitored by PAGASA. As of 4 AM today, it was spotted at 600 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Loriedin de la Cruz, this weather disturbance might gather moisture from the sea, so before it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it might be develop into a Tropical Depression.
Due to this LPA, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon.
Metro Manila will experience the highest temperature today as it reaches 35 degrees Celsius. Here the heat indices in various areas:
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will still experience generally fair weather condition but with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.
Though rains and thunderstorms are now becoming frequent, PAGASA has clarified in an interview with Panahon TV that Rainy Season is not yet official.
Weather Forecaster Chris Perez says there are certain factors to be considered first before they declare the onset of “tag-ulan”. “Mayroon tayong tinitingnan na synoptic stations sa western side ng Luzon. Dapat sa five out of eight stations, maobserbahan ang at least 25 millimeters of rain sa loob ng three to five days. Bukod dito, ‘yung umiiral na hangin dapat ay Southwest Monsoon o Hanging Habagat.” (We are monitoring synoptic stations in the western section of Luzon. Out of 8 stations, there should be five stations wherein at least 25 millimeters of rain are observed in a period of three to five days.) Last year, the Rainy Season was declared on May 24, 2016.
Today, the Frontal System continues to bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon. This weather system is the boundary of warm and cold air masses, where convective clouds are
formed. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience generally fair weather apart from the isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, high temperatures are still expected in several parts of the country. Here are the highest heat indices possible in the next hours.
Metro Manila – 39. 4°C
IloIlo/Bacolod City – 39.3°C
Tuguegarao City – 39.1°C
Metro Cebu – 38.3°C
Legaspi – 38.1°C
In a ceremony held at the Weather and Flood Forecasting Center of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Quezon City last Wednesday, DOST-PAGASA inaugurated the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) Data Analysis System in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The system will receive and analyze data from COMS, the first geostationary multi-purpose satellite of Korea, which was launched in space in 2010. Stationed 36,000 kilometers above the Earth’s equator, the satellite performs meteorological mission, ocean observations, and communications services. It can generate sixteen types of analysis data for weather forecasting and numerical prediction.
The COMS Satellite Receiving System is installed at the PAGASA Center in Quezon City and its four regional offices in Tuguegarao, Legazpi, Lapu-Lapu and El Salvador City.
In his message during the ceremony, PAGASA Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano expressed his appreciation to KOICA for its assistance in the project that will benefit Filipinos. “This multi-million project, made possible through the Korean government’s grant aid and technical cooperation program, is guaranteed to help strengthen PAGASA’s capacity to receive and analyze meteorological satellite data and thereby enhancing weather monitoring and improving weather forecast accuracy.”
photos from DOST-PAGASA Facebook
Meanwhile, KOICA Philippine Coordinator Myun Seop Shing conveyed his hopes for the project’s success. “The Philippines has long been vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and is one of the countries greatly affected by climate change… It is my sincere hope that this project will be a best practice among all our partnership projects which play an important role in achieving the Philippine Development Plan and also will strengthen the friendship and cooperative relations of the two countries.”