The northeast monsoon or hanging amihan continues to prevail in Luzon. This weather system is cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia. It usually peaks in January, bringing light rains and colder weather.

Today’s forecast shows that cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced in Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Bicol Region, Aurora and Quezon. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Meanwhile, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will enjoy generally fair weather with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

As amihan slightly weakens, sea conditions become favorable for sea travel. Gale warning was terminated today which means fishing boats and other small seacraft can venture out into the seaboards of the country.

On the other hand, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza said the amihan can also reach Visayas and Mindanao. However, its effect will be mainly felt over Luzon. Here are the lowest temperatures recorded yesterday:

Mendoza added that no weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the next two days or until the end of January. The public is still advised to monitor updates as changes may still occur.

Warm ocean triggers glacier melt

The waters around the Totten Glacier is observed to be melting due to the global sea level rise, according to scientists. This glacier is the largest glacier in East Antartica measuring 120 kilometers long and more than 30 kilometers wide.

A voyage to the cold region showed that the waters were approximately 1.5 degrees Celcius warmer than the other areas in the southern hemisphere. In an article published in Agence France-Presse, Chief Scientist Steve Rintoul said the warm waters can be a sign that East Antartica is also vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change. He added that this study will be very useful in the improvement of predicting future sea level rise.

No weather disturbance is monitored inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility on the remaining days of January, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar claimed.

However, it’s best for residents of Eastern Visayas and CARAGA to bring umbrellas today as the Tail-end of a Cold Front brings cloudy skies and light to moderate rains in the said regions.

The whole Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to at times, cloudy skies with isolated cases of light rains generated by the Northeast Monsoon or amihan.

The remaining parts of Visayas and Mindanao, on the other hand, can expect fair weather condition apart from localized thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the surge of the Northeast Monsoon generates rough to very rough sea conditions over the eastern seaboards of Visayas and of CARAGA region, prompting PAGASA to release a new gale warning, advising fishermen not to venture out into the sea due to strong winds and big waves.

BAGUIO CITY AT ITS COOLEST

On January 24, 2015, PAGASA recorded Baguio City’s lowest temperature of 10.4’°C during the current Amihan season. Is it possible to have a lower temperature than that? Escullar says yes. The climatological low in Baguio is usually recorded during the last half of January up until mid-February. With the northeast monsoon peak during these months, Baguio City will continue to have cool temperatures and the possibility of further drops in temperature in the following days or weeks.

WEATHER IN FEBRUARY: A SYNOPSIS

Climatological records of the weather bureau shows an average of 0 – 1 tropical cyclones, apart from the Tail-end of a Cold Front and the Northeast Monsoon as the dominant weather systems prevailing in the country during this month.

The Tail-end of a Cold Front is the convergence of two different air masses–cold and dry air coming from Siberia called amihan, and warm, humid air from the Pacific Ocean called the Easterlies. This convergence brings light to moderate rains and possible thunderstorms over the affected areas.

Amihan brings lower temperatures and light rains usually in the northern and eastern sections of the country. It starts mid-October to late March, peaking on the months of January to February.

No weather disturbance or tropical cyclone is existing within the Philippine Area of Responsibility. However, due to the prevailing weather systems, some areas will still experience rains today. The tail end of a cold front will affect the eastern section of Central and Southern Luzon while the northeast monsoon or amihan continues to affect Northern Luzon.

The tail end of a cold front is the extended part of a cold front. The cold front, on the other hand, is formed when the cold air mass dominates the warm air mass during convergence. Meanwhile, amihan is cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia.

Bicol Region, Aurora, Quezon and Samar will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Cordillera, Ilocos and Cagayan Valley will experience cloudy skies with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have a generally fair weather aside from the possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Amihan continues to bring colder mornings, mostly in Northern Luzon. This morning, PAGASA recorded the lowest temperature in Baguio City at 11.2°C.

Gale warning is still up over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and Visayas, as well as the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon. Expect wind force of 52 to 63 kilometers per hour with wave height of 3.4 to 4.5 meters. With rough to very rough sea conditions, fishing boats and other small sea craft are not advised to venture out into the sea.

As of 1:00 AM today, the low pressure area (LPA) has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). This LPA was the former Seniang, the last tropical cyclone that entered the PAR last year. Meanwhile, two weather systems will affect the country today, including the tail end of a cold front and the northeast monsoon or amihan that prevails over Luzon.

Due to the gradual intensification of amihan, the tail end of a cold front slightly moved downward, bringing cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas. Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia, will bring light rains over the Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains while the rest of the country will have generally fair weather aside from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Sea travel is still risky in the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the Visayas, as well as the eastern, western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon. Wave height could reach up to 3.4 to 4.5 meters, with wind force ranging from 52 to 63 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier said that this month, the average number of tropical cyclones that may enter PAR is 0 to 1. A cyclone normally moves towards Visayas but there will be an instance that it may also re-curve upward, away from the landmass.

Cold weather greeted the new year yesterday. Here are the 5 lowest temperatures recorded on the 1st day of 2015:

This morning, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz shared that Baguio City’s temperature dropped to 11°C at 2:00 AM while 20.3°C was recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City.

As amihan peaks this month, the minimum temperatures and colder days are usually felt during this part of the year. However, aside from the chill, this weather system will also bring light rains over the affected areas.

Before departing from the Philippine boundary, Ruby has intensified into Tropical Storm category with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of about 80 kph. PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said that this because Ruby is within the vicinity of the West Philippines Sea–it’s increase in intensity due to the moisture it had gathered from the ocean.

Tropical storm Ruby was last located at 505 kilometers west southwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, moving at a speed of 20 kph. If it maintains its velocity, Ruby will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight according to PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio. Because of its distance, it will have no direct effect on any part of the country, confirmed Estareja.

Cold Weather awaits

The northeast monsoon has found its way again to Northern Luzon. Cold weather with lights rains will be experienced mostly in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos Region.
Baguio City’s temperature will range from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, with the intrusion of winds from the east, fair weather is expected over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers are possible in the afternoon or evening.

Top 3 places with highest amount of rainfall

During the passage of Ruby, areas in Southern Luzon has recorded the highest amount of rainfall.

The northeast monsoon or amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China, will affect extreme Northern Luzon while the easterlies will prevail over the eastern section of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Easterlies are winds coming from the Pacific Ocean, which bring warm and humid weather.

Partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the Ilocos Region. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, mostly in the eastern section.

Based on the records of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the following areas felt the lowest temperatures this morning:

Compared to yesterday, temperatures today are much lower as the amihan blows over Luzon.

What to expect on the 2nd half of November

PAGASA Weather Forecaster Alvin Pura said the amihan is expected to intensify in the following days, bringing chillier early mornings. Pura added that longer nights are expected as the Winter Solstice approaches the Northern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year, either on December 21 or 22. Longer nights mean shorter exposure to sun rays, contributing to the colder weather during “ber” months.

Another thing to keep in mind is the possible formation of weather disturbances. Pura explained that tropical cyclones during this season have a higher chance of hitting the landmass or making their landfall.

Meanwhile, experts continue to monitor the possible impact of an El Niño Phenomenon in the last quarter of 2014. El Niño is characterized by the unusual warming of the sea surface temperature. According to the latest information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the probability of an El Niño Phenomenon at this time has been lowered to 58% from 65%.

PAGASA clarified that we are still in the neutral condition so if El Niño occurs this year, it will be weak. The next update will be released on December 4, 2014.

The presence of two weather systems will bring cloudy skies to its affected areas.

The tail end of a cold front is an area in the atmosphere where cold and warm air masses meet. The interaction between the two different air masses creates cloud and thunderstorms activity that usually results to rain showers, PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier explained. This weather system affects Southern Luzon, bringing light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, Marinduque, Romblon, Aurora and Quezon.

Meanwhile, colder weather will prevail due to the existence of hangin amihan or northeast monsoon at the Northern and Central Luzon. Aside from lower temperature, hangin amihan is expected to bring isolated light rains over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon.

Lower temperatures are now felt in some areas in Luzon. Buddy says hangin amihan will eventually prevail over Visayas in the next coming months.
Yesterday, temperature in Baguio dropped to 13.4 °C.

Due to the surge of hanging amihan, gale warning has been issued by PAGASA. The seacoasts of Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, northern coast of Ilocos Norte, Isabela and Aurora will be rough to very rough resulting to 3.4 to 4.5 meters wave height. Fishing boats and other small sea vessels are advised not to venture out into the sea.

Cover. Duck. Hold.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will hold the 4th Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill today, 9 am at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City as ceremonial pilot venue. Government agencies and private sectors nationwide are encouraged to participate in the earthquake drill.