The cloud clusters being monitored this weekend is now inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

State meteorologist Buddy Javier says in an interview with PanahonTV this morning that the said clouds have not yet developed into a low pressure area. However, continuous monitoring will be implemented as these are forecast to move closer to our landmass and bring rains in the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao.

Today, the tail-end of a cold front will bring light to moderate rain showers in the provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Palawan. Meanwhile, light rains will be experienced in Northern Luzon, particularly over the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos due to the northeast monsoon. The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, can expect fair weather conditions apart from localized rain showers or thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, rough to very rough sea condition is expected over the seaboards of Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, the northern and eastern coast of Cagayan, the northern coast of Ilocos Norte and Isabela as well as the eastern seaboards of Aurora, Zambales and Bataan. The agency advises against sea travel in the mentioned coasts due to the strong to gale force winds associated with the northeast monsoon surge.

TRIVIA OF THE DAY

As we count 10 more days until Christmas, many Catholics prepare to attend the Simbang Gabi starting tomorrow at dawn. Simbang gabi, also known as Misa de Gallo, is a Filipino Christmas tradition practiced by Roman Catholics in anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Originating from the days of Spanish rule, it is a 9-day series of masses from December 16 to 24, the last of which is the midnight mass.

Most Filipinos believe that if a devotee completes the nine days of the Simbang Gabi, a request or wish will be granted. After the mass, churchgoers would buy and eat traditional delicacies such as bibingka and puto bumbong sold in the food stalls in the churchyard.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is continuously monitoring the low pressure area (LPA) within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). At 4:00 PM today, it was spotted at 170 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Fernando Cada, it has a slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. Cada adds that as the LPA moves closer to the landmass of Eastern Visayas, it is expected to dissipate within the next 12 to 24 hours. However, if it does not dissipate, the clouds could disorganize and merge with a frontal system which will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the eastern section of Southern and Central Luzon.

Aside from the weather disturbance, the northeast monsoon or amihan prevails over the Northern Luzon. The outer cloud bands of the LPA and the winds associated with amihan are expected to dump rains over some parts of the country.

Eastern Visayas will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms. Residents are alerted against possible flash floods or landslides. The rest of Visayas, Bicol Region and the provinces of Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.

Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos region will be cloudy with chances of light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile, another cloud cluster is now being monitored outside the PAR. Located east of Southern Mindanao, this cloud cluster could be a potential LPA in the next few days. However, it is still too far to affect the country and is still under observation.

“Pineapple Express” hits California

California has been battling with a major storm dubbed as the “Pineapple Express” for a couple of days now. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), together with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explained that this phenomenon happens when warm air and enormous amount of moisture are transported from the Central Pacific to the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Pineapple Express is composed of stream of clouds and moisture that could result to intense rain storms just like what is now experienced in California.

The storm system has brought violent rainfall causing flood and mudslides. Strong winds and tornadoes also smashed trees and damaged homes. The inclement weather caused flight cancellations and power outages that left many people in the dark. Police and rescue teams are continuously providing help and assistance to those who are affected.

Source: PAGASA-DOST, NASA, NOAA

PAGASA is currently monitoring a new cloud cluster east of Mindanao, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). State weather forecaster Buddy Javier says it has a possibility of developing into a Low Pressure Area within 48 hours. Easterlies still prevail over the eastern section of Mindanao, bringing possible thunderstorms late in the afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile, the Bicol Region and Samar province will experience light to moderate rain showers due to the tail-end of a cold front affecting Southern Luzon. Metro Manila and the remaining part of the country will experience fair weather .

Good news to our fishermen: no gale warning has been issued today. Sea travel is safe in all seaboards in the following hours.

DECEMBER: WHAT TO EXPECT

As we’re down to the last week of November, here’s a sneak preview of what to expect, weather-wise, this December.

The northeast monsoon or hanging amihan will continue to bring lower temperatures, especially in the northern regions of the country.
With this, the formation of a tail-end of a cold front is generally possible in the eastern section of Luzon as the easterlies prevail over the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao. When it comes to tropical cyclones, an average of 1 to 2 is expected to enter PAR.

Be informed. Get the latest weather updates on PanahonTV’s social media accounts.