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Light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in some parts of Southern Mindanao including regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, ARMM, and Soccsksargen. Residents are also alerted on the possible occurrence of flashfloods and landslides.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, the monsoon break may last until this weekend, so residents in Luzon and Visayas will continue to experience slightly humid weather.

Despite the rainy weather in Southern Mindanao, generally fair weather conditions will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Warm Wednesday and Monsoon Break

In the midst of the Rainy Season, generally fair and warm weather is expected with the presence of the Ridge of a High Pressure Area (HPA) today.

“Ridge” refers to the extended part of an HPA or an anticyclone. Unlike a Low Pressure Area, this indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings. Formation of clouds is usually suppressed, thus, less chance of rains. As it extends across Luzon, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

In an interview with PanahonTV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robert Badrina said that the country is on a monsoon break.

Badrina also said that the country will experience a storm-free week.

The Ridge of High Pressure Area extends over the Northern Luzon. Because of this, the whole country will have sunny weather. However, PAGASA warns of isolated rain showers which normally occurs in the afternoon or evening.

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Haze in Cebu City

According to environment officials, the haze presence in Cebu City may be the effect of the wildfire raging in Indonesia.

Because of this, temperatures significantly dropped. Normally, the city has an average of 32 degrees Celcius, but with the haze, temperatures are now pegged at 26 – 31 degrees Celsius.

Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon where dust, smoke and other dry particles obscure the clarity of the sky.

(Photo courtesy: newsinfo.inquirer.net)
(Photo courtesy: newsinfo.inquirer.net)

Typhoon Dolphin is no longer expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, the said weather disturbance is set to recurve as the presence of the High Pressure Area above the Philippines hinders its supposed entry into the country’s eastern boundary.

Source: DOST-PAGASA
Source: DOST-PAGASA

Today, the Ridge of High Pressure Area reaching Luzon brings partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms usually occurring in the afternoon or evening. The same weather condition is expected to persist this weekend.

Meanwhile, the El Nino phenomenon is expected to persist in the northern hemisphere until the end of 2015. Based on the latest data of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the sea surface temperature anomaly continues in the equatorial Pacific.

In the Philippines, the persistence of the said phenomenon will incur below normal rainfall, above normal temperatures and weak tropical cyclone activity.

From tropical depression category, “Betty” has weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) and was last spotted at 885 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora at 4 AM today. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza clarifies the LPA still has no effect on any part of the country. Today, the whole country can expect generally fair weather with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

GREEN MAP

Moderate to strong winds will prevail over the eastern section of Luzon. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are alerted against moderate to rough sea conditions brought by the nearby weather disturbance.

Meanwhile, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong said the LPA will start to bring rains tomorrow over the eastern section of Luzon. It is also expected to affect the central and southern portions of Luzon. All are advised to monitor updates and further changes.

On the other hand, despite the presence of “Betty” within the PAR, the country experienced a warm weather yesterday. Here are the highest temperatures recorded on March 18, 2015.

HIGHEST TEMP

The ridge of a high pressure area has been the dominant weather system during the past few days. According to PAGASA, the northeast monsoon or amihan has not been terminated. In fact, it is expected to re-surge tomorrow, bringing slightly colder weather.

Special Non-Working Holiday

Today marks the celebration of “Sulyog Festival” in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. It is a religious festival which includes dances and cultural shows that honor to St.Joseph.

Meanwhile, the people of Canlaon, Negros Oriental will also celebrate the “Pasayaw Festival”. Derived from the combined word of “Pasalamat Pinaagi sa Sayaw” or thanksgiving through dance, it reflects the joy and praise to God through the intercession of St.Joseph.

In line with the mentioned festivals, the palace has declared March 19, 2015 as special non-working holiday both for Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro and Canlaon, Negros Oriental. This aims to give full opportunity to the people to participate in the festivities.

Tropical Storm Bavi is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Tuesday morning and will then be named Betty, State Meteorologist Manny Mendoza said.

Estimated at 2,100 kms east of the Bicol Region this morning, Bavi packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph. The cyclone moves in a west southwest direction at 35 kph.

Mendoza states that the storm has a higher chance of weakening into tropical depression category before dissipating in the following days.

DOST PAGASA MTSAT
DOST PAGASA MTSAT

Meanwhile, the ridge of high pressure area affects Northern Luzon, bringing a warm weather condition today.

Based on PAGASA’s latest weather forecast, the whole archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with possible isolated cases of rain showers or thunderstorms.

WEATHER TODAY

The low pressure area (LPA) monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has already weakened into cloud clusters. As of now, no weather disturbance is affecting any part of the country.

The ridge of a high pressure area prevails over Northern Luzon, bringing fair weather over Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera and Ilocos Regions. Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran said this ridge will continue to affect the Philippines in the next coming days as we approach the official hot and dry season. The prevailing presence of the high pressure area causes rising temperatures in most parts of the country including Metro Manila.

MTSAT Image from JMA.
MTSAT Image from JMA.

Yesterday, a scorching temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at 1:50 PM at the PAGASA Science Garden, Quezon City. For today’s temperature, Metro Manila will experience 21 to 33 degrees Celsius while Metro Cebu can expect 25 to 31 degrees Celsius. A range of 25 to 33 degrees Celsius is expected over Metro Davao.

Avalanche forms over Afghanistan

More than 100 people have died in Afghanistan due to an avalanche triggered by heavy winter snow. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) defined an avalanche as a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside. It occurs in certain times of the year particularly during the Winter Season.

Meanwhile, according to the National Disasters Association (NDA), the avalanche is derived from the French word “avalance” which means descent. It is a mass of snow, sometimes mixed with ice and debris travelling down the mountainside.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, it is also called a “snow slide,” similar to landslide but instead of soil or rocks, snow and ice falls down from the mountainous areas.

Deadly avalanches in Panjshir province, Afghanistan

Due to the prevailing trough or extended cloudiness of the low pressure area (LPA), the CARAGA and Davao Regions will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang, the said LPA has a slim chance of entering the boundary. However, continuous monitoring will be done by the weather bureau.

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Meanwhile, the ridge or the extended part of the high pressure area (HPA) continues to affect Northern Luzon, bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies over the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have generally fair weather aside from possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

To understand these prevailing weather systems, winds in a high pressure are associated with good and sunny weather. Fewer clouds are seen over the affected areas, thus, less chances of precipitation.

On the other hand, winds in a low pressure area are associated to rainy weather due to the presence of more clouds. LPA can form into a tropical cyclone or “bagyo” once it accumulates warmer air and higher humidity or amount of water vapor.

Dust storm affects UAE

The United Arab Emirates experienced a dust storm over the weekend. According to the National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), high winds whipped up the dust and sand, leading to road accidents due to the reduced visibility.

Cases of asthma and other respiratory illnesses also increased to 25 percent. Child asthma and Allergy Specialist Dr. Pierre Majdalani said dustry air can trigger cough, cold, ear infection, asthma, viral infection and influenza.

NCMS meteorologist Sufian Farrah explained that a dust storm occurs when wind speed exceeds 30 kilometers per hour with visibility dropping to 1,000 meters or less. Farrah added that dust or sandstorms are normal during this time of the year.

Image source: www.emirates247.com
Image source: www.emirates247.com