The Low Pressure Area (LPA) in Palawan has dissipated, leaving the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan as the dominant weather system in the Extreme Northern Luzon.
The Northeast Monsoon, locally known as Amihan, is characterized by cold and dry air coming from mainland China or Siberia. During this season, a generally fair weather prevails but rains are still possible.
As this weather system prevails today, Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. For the rest of the country including Metro Manila, a generally fair weather or partly cloudy to cloudy skies will be experienced except for isolated rain showers.
ASEAN 2017
Twenty heads of state, foreign media and delegates are in the Philippines to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits this week. A generally fair weather is expected to prevail as related meetings continue in key locations including Metro Manila, Pampanga and Bulacan.
In an interview, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez said that no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country within the next two days.
At 10:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was spotted at 450 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Through its 11:00 AM Weather Advisory, PAGASA said that the LPA may develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robert Badrina, it may cross Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon, and may bring rains in Metro Manila by Thursday until Saturday.
Apart from the LPA, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is causing rains in Palawan and Mindanao, while the Northeast Monsoon dampens Northern and Central Luzon.
Today, the Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ. The LPA will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region. For Metro Manila and the regions of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail with isolated light rains due to the Amihan. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The prevalence of various weather systems has prompted cancellation of domestic flights and classes in some areas in Luzon today.
According to PAGASA, the Tail-end of a Cold Front affects the eastern section of Northern and of Central Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains. Meanwhile the Easterlies bring scattered rains in the eastern section of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Northeast Monsoon or Hanging Amihan continues to affect the rest of Northern Luzon, causing a slight breeze.
Cagayan Valley, the Bicol Region, Aurora, Quezon, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao Region will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. In the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail only with isolated rain showers.
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Gale warning is also in effect in the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon where rough to very rough sea condition is expected. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out, while larger vessels are alerted against big waves.
The most wonderful time of the year is approaching! Many of us are already busy planning for the holidays by organizing parties and shopping for gifts. But another thing Filipinos look forward to during the ber months is the cool weather. Read on to find out more about what to expect as Christmas approaches.
1. “Is it sweater weather already?”
Keep your sweaters on standby! According to PAGASA, weather will gradually become cooler as the Northeast Monsoon or Hanging Amihan approaches the country. Temperatures will slightly drop especially in the Extreme Northern Luzon. Colder nights and early mornings may be experienced during ber months but the peak of Amihan usually occurs in January and February.
2. “How cold will it be these ber months?”
To give you an idea of how cold the weather may get, here are the expected minimum and maximum temperatures:
3. “How many typhoons can we expect for the rest of the year?”
Since the climatic condition in the Philippines remains neutral, the number of Tropical Cyclones that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is also within the average range. For the month of September, 2 to 4 Tropical Cyclones normally enter the PAR, while at least one is expected in October until the end of the year. These are just the average numbers, and may still vary depending on the atmospheric conditions.
4. “Why are there more typhoons during the ber months?”
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez, the last quarter of the year is when the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) becomes dominant and usually oscillates to reach the Philippine premises. And because the ITCZ is a breeding ground of Low Pressure Areas (LPAs), the formation of weather disturbances also becomes a common scenario during ber months.
5. “What is the difference between Amihan and Habagat?”
Amihan, also known as the Northeast Monsoon, is characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia. It usually becomes prevalent during ber months, bringing cooler weather conditions. Compared to Habagat, which is characterized by warm and moist winds, Amihan brings light rains mostly in the northern and eastern portions of the country. However, both weather systems trigger rough to very rough conditions. When the surge of Amihan and Habagat transpires, gale warning is usually hoisted, urging fisherfolk to avoid sea travel.
6. “Why do typhoons hit the landmass during the season?”
Apart from colder weather, light rains and bumpy coastal waters, the Amihan also affects tropical cyclones. Due to its cold and dry characteristics, it may weaken the cyclone and may also drive it towards the landmass. Thus, tropical cyclones during ber months have a greater chance of making landfall.
7. “Why can’t we experience a White Christmas?”
“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know…”
This song perfectly complements the Filipinos’ longing to experience snow in our country. Unfortunately, unlike countries in the temperate regions, tropical countries like the Philippines, don’t have a winter season.
8. “Will it still be rainy during the ber months?”
In a La Niña Watch issued on October 20, 2017, there is a 65 to 70 % probability that a weak La Niña will develop in either late October or November this year, which may last through the first quarter of 2018. Above normal rainfall conditions are expected over the most parts of the country. La Niña is characterized by unusually cooler than the average sea surface temperatures (SST) in the Central and Eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP).
9. “When is the longest night of the year?”
Mark your calendars for an astronomical event you shouldn’t miss before the year ends! The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, where the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn. The solstice is derived from the Latin “sol”, meaning “sun” and “sistere” which means “to stand still”. This usually happens on December 21 or 22.
10. “What weather systems will affect the country ?”
Several weather systems are expected to prevail during ber months. These include the Hanging Amihan, ITCZ, the Tail-end of a Cold Front, Low Pressure Area (LPA) and Tropical Cyclones. Such weather systems will bring rains and thunderstorms. However, we may still experience fair weather, especially when the Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) becomes dominant.
Rains are more likely to prevail due to the Low Pressure Area (LPA), last located in the vicinity of Maddela, Quirino. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong noted that it has a slim chance of developing into a Tropical Depression within the day but once it reaches the West Philippine Sea, it may accumulate moisture and may still intensify as a “bagyo”.
Because the LPA is now traversing in between Northern and Central Luzon, it will continue to dump rains in several areas. Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected in Bicol Region and in the provinces of Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands. PAGASA alerts the residents against possible flooding and landslides.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains with thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Visayas and Mindanao can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.
Gale warning is up in the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon, where rough to very rough sea condition is expected. Sea travel is risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft as wave height may reach up to 3.4 to 4.5 meters.
Have you noticed the slightly cooler weather mostly in the early morning? Quitlong added that northeasterly winds are already approaching. The ongoing transition period or shifting of wind patterns signifies that Habagat is no longer expected to affect the country. Hence, Amihan season is just around the corner!
Have you been complaining about the humid weather these past days? Well, the surge of the Northeast Monsoon may give you a break.
Yesterday, PAGASA recorded an air temperature of 36.5°C in Sinait, Ilocos Sur. With the humid weather, heat indices also continue to increase. Heat index refers to temperature obtained from the high air temperature and relative humidity. It also describes how the human body perceives the heat or the warm weather.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez reminded the public through an interview with Panahon TV that when the computed heat index value is between 30-40°Celsius, a person may experience exhaustion and stroke.
However, Amihan has slightly intensified today and is now affecting Northern and Central Luzon. This Tuesday, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will prevail in the regions of Caraga and Davao. Cloudy skies with isolated light rains are also expected in the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera, and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced in the Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of the Amihan are causing rough to very rough seas in the seaboards below. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
PAGASA has yet to declare the start of the Hot and Dry Season but the heat has become increasingly intense in some parts of the country.
Yesterday, PAGASA recorded a scorching 36°C in Cabanatuan.
Today, a maximum of 34°C air temperature is expected in Metro Manila. For Baguio City, it will be between 16-26°C, 26-32°C in Iloilo and a maximum of 34°C in Zamboanga City.
While temperatures are expected to spike, the Northeast Monsoon in the Northern Luzon is still bringing cloudy skies with isolated light rains in Cagayan Valley Region. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced in the regions of Cordillera and Ilocos. Caused by the warm and humid air from the Pacific called Easterlies, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago.
Despite the warm temperatures, gale warning is hoisted in the seaboards of Northern Luzon where sea travel may be risky due to rough to very rough sea conditions.
The Low Pressure Area Inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility will continue to dump rains in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
At 4:00 am today, the LPA was spotted at 235 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, it is not expected to develop into a tropical depression but may cross the Visayas area tomorrow.
Due to this weather disturbance, cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected in Eastern Visayas and Caraga. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Bicol, Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao. Residents of the said areas are advised to take precautions because these heavy rains may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
Due to the continuous surge of the Hanging Amihan in the Northern Luzon, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail in Batanes, Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Regarding the official announcement of the onset of the Hot and Dry Season in our country, Mendoza says that this will only be done when the Amihan weakens and a continuous record of high temperatures in our country is established.
The Hot and Dry season may be around the corner but this doesn’t exempt the county from weather disturbances.
At 2:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong, the LPA was located at 800 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4:00 AM. The LPA has yet to have any direct effect on the country but its extension will bring light to moderate rains in the Caraga Region today.
“Sa ngayon, within 24-48 hours hindi po natin ito inaasahan na magiging bagyo. Ibig sabihin hindi po favorable ‘yung environment. ‘Yun nga lang, lalapit po ito sa ating bansa at dadaan po sa Kabisayaan.” (We do not expect this to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24-48 hours due to the unfavorable environment. However, it will approach the landmass and will cross Visayas.)
Starting tomorrow, March 20, this weather system will bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Northern Mindanao. Residents in these areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Meanwhile, theNortheast Monsoon is still dominant in Luzon where it will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. For Visayas and the rest of Mindanao, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms today.