Weather Today – May 24, 2017 “Tag-ulan” is almost here!

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.