Weather Today – June 16, 2017 No “bagyo” but ITCZ prevails

Rains are more likely to prevail in Mindanao due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet and form convective clouds. Residents of Mindanao are advised to prepare for cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Since the monsoon break is still on, the effect of the Southwest Monsoon or Hanging Habagat is not evident in any part of the country. Sea travelers can safely venture out today as slight to moderate sea conditions are expected. However, fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised to always take extra caution.

In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robert Badrina said that despite the active ITCZ, no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country in the next 24 to 48 hours but the weather bureau will keep an eye on the Pacific Ocean, where cloud clusters usually start to develop.

Question of the Day:

The featured question of the day is from Gerby Flores, who asked “Magkakaroon ba ulit ng El Niño?” (Is it possible for the El Niño phenomenon to recur this year?)

Badrina said the present climatic condition remains neutral. “Sa ngayon ay nasa neutral condition pa tayo pero nakikita natin sa mga susunod na buwan hanggang sa Disyembre ay may 50% chance na mabuo ang weak El Niño.”, Badrina explained. (The condition in the Central and Eastern Equatorial Pacific remains neutral but in the latter part of this year, a 50% chance of weak El Niño is projected.)