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 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.
Temperatures are beginning to rise in most parts of the country but the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as Amihan, has yet to end its dominance in Luzon.
This midweek Wednesday, Amihan has again intensified, affecting Northern and Central Luzon. As an effect, cloudy skies with light rains are expected in the Batanes Group of Islands. It will also bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies to the Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Central Luzon and rest of Cagayan Valley. In Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, down to Visayas and Mindanao, generally fair weather will prevail only with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Despite the increasing temperatures in the country, PAGASA has yet to declare the commencement of the Hot and Dry season.
“’Yung warm and humid air ng Easterlies ang isa sa mga pangunahing characteristics para mag-declare po tayo ng tag-init. Hindi lang tayo makapag-terminate ng Amihan sa kadahilanang bumabalik ito.” (The warm and humid characteristics of Easterlies are one the factors before declaring the Hot and Dry Season. We can’t still announce it because Amihan has yet to be terminated.)
It can be recalled that PAGASA announced the termination of Amihan on March 18 last year, signaling the start of the Hot and Dry Season or tag-init.
Far from the rainy days last weekend, fair weather is expected to prevail in most parts of the county today.
This is caused by Easterlies, warm and humid air from the Pacific Ocean, bringing slightly humid temperatures in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon has slightly weakened, affecting the extreme Northern Luzon.
Today, the Batanes Group of Islands will experience cloudy skies with light rains induced by Amihan. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, down to Visayas and Mindanao, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
“Makakaranas pa rin tayo ng mainit at maalinsangan panahon sa nakararaming bahagi ng bansa maging sa Metro Manila. Wala naman tayong inaasahang bagyo sa susunod na dalawa hanggang tatlong araw.” (We will still experience warm and humid weather in most parts of the country including Metro Manila. We’re not expecting a tropical cyclone within the next 2-3 days.)
Rains caused by the Low Pressure Area (LPA) are likely to continue in several areas in the southern parts of the country today.
At 11:00 AM today, the LPA was spotted at 135 kilometers southeast of General Santos City. Compared to previous days, the effects of this weather disturbance have already weakened. However, it will still bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms in Visayas and Mindanao.
In an interview with PanahonTV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Sheila Reyes said that the LPA has slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone or “bagyo.”
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Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon still persists in Northern Luzon. It brings partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Did you savor the cold days of February? We hope you did, because humid days are just around the corner.
The Hot and Dry season is in the country the equivalent of summer. The warm weather is brought by the Easterlies and the Ridge of a High Pressure Area. Easterlies are winds coming from the Pacific Ocean, the largest of the oceanic divisions in the world. On the other hand, a ridge or the extended part of a High Paessure Area (HPA) is associated with good weather. Unlike a Low Pressure Area (LPA), fewer clouds are formed with less chance of precipitation in a HPA.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, he said that the termination of Amihan usually marks the beginning of “tag-init.”
“Simula noong 2012 hanggang 2016, ay naganap ang pagtatapos ng Amihan sa pagitan ng pangalawa at pangatlong linggo ng Marso. Kaya’t inaasahan natin na posibleng kaparehas na panahon maganap ang pagpasok ng tag-init.” (Since 2012 until 2016, Amihan had ended between the second and third week of March. We expect the Hot and Dry season to begin within the same period.)
WEATHER TODAY
Today, Northern and Central Luzon remains affected by the Northeast Monsoon, while Easterlies are dominant in the eastern sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Cloudy skies with light rains are expected in Cagayan Valley. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are expected in Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
There’s no gale warning today but seafarers and those who have small fishing boats are still advised to take precautionary measures against moderate to rough sea conditions.
On this first day of June, warm and humid weather will continue in the Philippines as the Ridge of High Pressure Area affects Northern Luzon. This weather system brings partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Despite the cloudiness seen over the East Philippine Sea, State Meteorologist Jori Loiz says that the country will remain bagyo-free this week.
He reminds students to bring umbrellas to combat direct sun rays and possible thunderstorms that usually occur in the same time as afternoon classes are dismissed, or in the evening.
Meanwhile, this June, here are the various weather systems expected to influence local weather conditions.
As elementary and high school students attend school this new academic year, here’s a quote from renowned politician and philanthropist Nelson Mandela:
The Ridge of High Pressure Area remains to be the dominant weather system, bringing higher temperatures in the Philippines today.
It will continue to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies or fair weather over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. However, localized thunderstorms are still expected to form in the afternoon or evening.
You can expect the same weather scenario this weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Today, Metro Manila’s heat index may reach up to 40.2 degrees Centigrade, the agency added. Everyone is advised to take precautions.
WHEN WILL TAG-INIT END?
State Meteorologist Buddy Javier states that the Hot and Dry season may last until mid-June. By then, the winds will start to shift and usher in more rains.
But in order to fully establish the end of Tag-init, PAGASA has certain criteria in determining the onset of rainy season in the country, particularly in areas under the Type 1 climate, which produces two pronounced seasons:
1. Dry – October to March
2. Wet – April to September
In order for the agency to officially declare the onset of the rainy season, the following conditions must be present:
1. A total rainfall amount of 25 millimeters or more in a five-day period or at least 1 millimeter of rainfall per day in three consecutive days.
2. Criterion #1 must be met in at least five of the following climate Type 1 stations:
* Laoag
* Vigan
* Dagupan
* Iba
* San Jose, Mindoro
* Metro Manila
* Ambulong
* Iloilo
In order for Metro Manila to be counted, at least 2 out of 3 Metro Manila stations (Science Garden, Port Area, Sangley Point) must have met the first condition.
Today, the whole archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the prevailing Easterlies.
The said weather system currently affects the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas.
Easterlies are winds coming from the east, passing through the Pacific Ocean, bringing warm and humid weather to the country.
Everyone is advised to take precautionary measures against the expected rise in temperatures.
Be aware of the common diseases this hot and dry season. Read http://www.panahon.tv/blog/2015/03/staying-cool-this-hot-season/
SALUTE TO THE VETERANS
In honor of the Filipino war veterans who served the country and today’s Filipino soldiers, we observe the Philippine Veterans Week and the 73rd Araw ng Kagitingan with the theme: Ipunla ang Kagitingan sa Kabataan, Ihanda ang Beterano ng Kinabukasan.
This celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 466, declaring April 5 to 11 as Philippine Veterans Week, and Executive Order 203 designating April 9 as Araw ng Kagitingan.
The annual Tribute to All Filipino Heroes is slated today, April 7, at the historic Corregidor Island.
The said event honors all Filipino heroes, patriots, martyrs and defenders, as well as veterans of various military campaigns, who fought and died for the country in times of war and peace.
With Commander Guillermo L. Parayno Jr, Director of Philippine Veterans Bank, as Guest of Honor and Speaker, the Flipino Heroes Memorial will be attended by veterans and other guests from Manila, Bataan amd Cavite.
Meanwhile, Veterans will be given free rides at the LRT and MRT this week, April 5 to 11 from 5 am to 9 pm.
