On the last Sunday of January 2017, three weather systems are bringing rains in the archipelago.
These include a Low Pressure Area (LPA) estimated at 70 kilometers south of Davao City, Davao del Sur at 4:00 AM, the Tail-End of Cold Front affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas, and the Northeast Monsoon prevailing in Northern and Central Luzon.
Today, cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms that may trigger flashfloods and landslides, are expected in Eastern Visayas and Caraga.
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the Bicol Region, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, CALABARZON and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Aurora.
Cloudy skies with light rains are expected in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley Region and rest of Central Luzon.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail in the rest of Luzon.
The LPA inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) may be bringing rains, but it is no longer expected to to intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next 24-48 hours, PAGASA Weather Foracaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview with PanahonTV.
“Patuloy po itong magiging LPA hanggang sa ito po ay malusaw o malakalabas po ng ating bansa. Hindi po ito magiging isang bagyo so ngayong buwan po wala na tayong inaasahan na bagyo na maaring makaapekto sa ating bansa.” (This could remain as an LPA and dissipate or exit the country. It is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone, so no tropical cyclone is expected to affect the country this month.)
It can be recalled that Tropical Depression Auring, the first tropical cyclone of 2017 occurred last January 7. It made four landfall activities in Mindanao and Visayas areas before weakening into an LPA.
Gale warning remains in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves due to rough to very rough sea conditions in these provinces:
Two weather systems are still bringing rains in the country today.
These include the Tail-End of a Cold Front in the eastern section of Mindanao, and the Northeast Monsoon prevailing in Luzon and Visayas.
Today, cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Caraga and Davao. Residents of these areas are alerted against flash floods and landslides.
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected in the rest of Mindanao.
In Luzon and Eastern Visayas, cloudy skies with light rains will prevail, while moderate rains are expected in Cagayan Valley and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected in the rest of Visayas.
In an interview with PanahonTV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Loriedin de la Cruz said that no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country in the next three days. However changes may still transpire, so stay tuned for updates.
Gale force winds are affecting more areas in the country as the Amihan intensifies. Due to rough to very rough seas, small seacraft and fishing boats are not advised to venture out, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
A tornado is a thin column of air extending from a thunderstorm cloud to or near the ground. Rotating counterclockwise at around 450 kilometers per hour or even faster, it is strong enough to uproot trees, damage buildings, and displace vehicles.
Also known as twisters or buhawi in Filipino, tornadoes in the Philippines persist from one to ten minutes, and are capable of traveling a distance of one kilometer. “Kapag ang buhawi ay short-lived, maaaring mas maiksi ang distance na kayang baybayin niyan. Maaari rin namang magkaroon ng matagalang tornado pero almost stationary lamang iyon,” said PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez. (If a tornado is short-lived, it can only a travel a short distance. On the other hand, a long-lasting tornado can also stay stationary.)
A tornado is a secondary hazard of severe thunderstorms that can also produce hailstorms. Tornadoes can transpire in any part of the country from March to December; however, Luzon experiences less number of tornadoes during the northeast (amihan) season from October to February.
To prevent loss of lives and damage to properties, know what to do before, during, and after a tornado.
BEFORE A TORNADO:
• Check your house for possible weaknesses.
• Keep fragile and light items away from the window.
• All types of buildings must have a safe room, preferably without windows.
• Create a family communication plan and practice it.
• Keep an emergency kit.
• Always monitor the weather, and be alert to changing conditions.
• Stay indoors when a thunderstorm transpires. Severe thunderstorms are heralded by hailstones and huge, dark low-lying clouds.
DURING A TORNADO:
• Be alert at all times.
• Proceed to the basement or the ground level of the building.
• Stay away from windows and items that may fall or break.
• Crouch under a sturdy table if the wind is very violent.
• When inside a car, move out and seek a safe area. If you can’t get out, buckle your seatbelt and drive to the nearest sturdy shelter, and park using the hand-break.
• When outdoors, watch out for falling debris, and stay away from electric posts, underpasses, and bridges. Better to evacuate to a concrete structure.
• If buildings are not present, proceed to a low-lying area or lie flat on the ground.
AFTER A TORNADO:
• Check for injured or trapped people.
• Deal with injuries.
• Stay away from debris and damaged structures.
• Shut off utilities and inspect the house for damage.
A tornado is different from a waterspout, which transpires in bodies of water. Because the wind is colorless, it is difficult to see the first few seconds of a tornado until it becomes visible due to dust and other objects carried by the swiveling winds. In other countries, meteorologists easily predict formation of tornadoes because of their wide diameters that can expand to 200 meters. This weather phenomenon exists in almost every continent except Antarctica due its below-zero temperatures.
Meanwhile, PAGASA Forecaster Perez said that our state weather bureau is now discussing the issuance of tornado watches and advisories.
According to PAGASA, two weather systems still prevail in the Philippine Area of Responsibility today. As the Tail-End of a Cold Front affects the eastern section of Southern Luzon, the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan dominates Northern and Central Luzon.
The Cold Front is an area in the atmosphere where masses of warm and cold air converge, resulting in thunderstorms. Ordinarily, the axis of the Cold Front is in level with Taiwan or Japan. The only part that affects the Philippines is its tail end or extension. The Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China, is responsible for lower temperatures.
Ready your umbrellas because cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, Bicol, Davao, Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon and Samar.
In the Cagayan Valley Region, Cordillera and the rest of Central Luzon, cloudy skies with light rains will prevail, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected in the rest of Luzon.
For the remaining parts of Visayas and Mindanao, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be experienced.
Here’s the weather forecast in the next three days:
Gale warning remains over Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out in these areas while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
In a press release dated January 18, 2017, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2016 was the hottest year on record. With a global average temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial period, it surpassed the heat recorded in 2015.According to WMO, it was approximately 0.07 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous year.
A strong El Niño event was assumed as one of the main factors that fuelled high temperatures during the early months of 2016. However, high temperatures prevailed even after the El Niño episode.
Climate change is the long-term shift in weather patterns in a region. This includes changes in precipitation, temperatures, sea levels and many more. It is also a phenomenon brought by the increased emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
According to Dr. Rosa Perez of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate change can be caused either by natural occurrences or human activities. Natural causes include the sun’s activity, volcanic eruptions and other natural events that contribute to the warming of the earth.
But the problem now is that climate change has worsened due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, clearing of forests, improper waste management and production of industrialized products.
Among the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide has one of the most ample concentrations in the atmosphere. In September last year, carbon dioxide levels have exceeded the tipping point or the harmful threshold of 440 parts per million (ppm). This figure indicates more catastrophic events like extreme drought, melting of ice, sea level rise and stronger typhoons in the future.
2016 was filled with extreme weather events, leaving socio-economic disruption and losses. The warming of the ocean has contributed to widespread coral bleaching.
Recently, the United Nations reported that three-quarters of the world’s coral reefs are expected to be exposed to terrible heat by 2070. Reefs closer to the equator face annual bleaching that may occur at an earlier frequency, affecting more than 75% of the reefs.
Coral bleaching happens once the micro plants called “zooxanthellae” leave the corals when the water becomes warm because of climate change. This leads to the deprivation of the corals’ food source and color, turning them white or bleached. If the heat persists for a longer period of time, the corals may die. When this happens, it will take decades for reefs to recover or worse, they may not recover at all.
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PH ratification of Paris Agreement underway
“Addressing global warming shall be our top priority, but upon a fair and equitable equation. It must not stymie our industrialization.” These were the words uttered by President Rodrigo Duterte during his 1st State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2016.
Earlier this year, Duterte announced that he will be signing the Paris Agreement by July 2017. Before the agreement reaches our President, 33 government agencies and private groups have to submit their respective Certificates of Concurrence first. These certificates will serve as a guarantee that the agencies understand, approve and are willing to cooperate in the implementation of the pact.
Sources:
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Climate Home
Climate Central
PAGASA
Rappler
Science Daily
The New Year symbolizes fresh starts. For most of us, goals at the start of the year include a fitness routine. We all know the benefits of exercise: healthy skin, feel-good endorphins and overall physical wellness. And if you feel like trying something new to tone your muscles and burn fat, here are some of this year’s fitness trends!
1. Crawling
Looking for a multi-joint workout that engages the entire body with emphasis on the core and shoulder muscles? Do as the babies do before they learn to walk—crawl! In the book, Becoming Bulletproof, fitness expert Tim Anderson explains that infants crawl to develop unilateral strength in all four limbs, which is essential to walking. Crawling helps develop endurance and stability in the wrists, shoulders, hips, ankles and toe, while providing support for your back. Plus, it also promotes healthier blood pressure!
Video courtesy: Redefining Strength
2. Boxing
This anxiety-reducing, ultra-empowering workout has been around for a while, but some predict that it will be a hit more than ever this year. Aside from increasing endurance, strength and speed, it also has mental perks! Boxing requires a focused mind, and can also serve as a form of meditation.
This year, more and more women are getting into boxing. Gone are the stereotypes of bulky arms, monster muscles and nosebleed; boxing is now considered a brilliant way of sculpting and toning.
But if you’re too busy to swing by the gym, the next best thing is to do it virtually. Set to launch this year, The Boxx Method (theboxxmethod.com) is the “world’s first virtual boxing experience.”
Video courtesy: Wexer
3. Workout Apps
Let’s face it; gym memberships can be expensive. Home workouts are becoming more popular, not just because of their convenience, but also because of their affordability. This year, workout videos-on-demand will continue to expand this year on the internet. More and more people are streaming their daily needs, so why should workouts be any different? From strength training and yoga, to running and boxing, social media outlets are now providing fitness routines from health professionals.
Here’s our top 5 list of apps available free on Android and iOS that provide step-by-step instructions—just like an expensive trainer—for free:
1. Map My Fitness
2. Workout Trainer
3. Nike + Training Club
4. JEFIT
5. Daily Workouts
Exercise is medicine—and yes, it is possible to adopt a lifestyle that includes regular exercise. Go ahead and jumpstart your year with the life-boosting activities today!
(UPDATED AS OF 11:00 AM) The Low Pressure Area (LPA) and Tail-End of a Cold Front dumped almost a month’s volume of rain in one day in some provinces earlier this week.
In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong said that the biggest amount of rainfall was recorded in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte on Monday, January 16, 2017. Rain amounted to 209.7 millimeters of rain, almost double the average of rainfall expected in a month.
In Misamis Oriental, 72.4 millimeters of rain were recorded in the 24-hour monitoring. This period almost surpassed the station’s total average rainfall for January, which is 98.9 millimeters. Widespread rains in the province caused flooding in Cagayan de Oro, forcing local officials to declare a state of calamity.
photos courtesy of John Ian Udang and Rowena Ambit
Two days after the flood, rains are still likely to prevail in some parts of Mindanao.
The Tail-End of a Cold Front continues to affect Visayas and the eastern section of Mindanao, while the Northeast Monsoon remains dominant in Luzon.
This midweek, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in Visayas, Mindanao at Palawan.
Light rains will be experienced in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the province of Aurora, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
If you were satisfied with the chilly ber months, brace yourselves for colder days! The Amihan Season isn’t over yet and is, in fact, now at its peak! Here are some things to expect in the coming days, which also doubles as a possible playlist this cold season.
1. “Baby, it’s cold outside.” (Michael Bublé)
Have you noticed the slightly cooler weather these past few days? Amihan is responsible for this sweater weather. Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China and Siberia, causes our temperatures to drop mostly in the country’s northern regions.
In recent reports from Benguet, frost has blanketed some of the vegetable fields. Historically, here are the lowest temperatures recorded in the Philippines during the peak of amihan:
2. “Raindrops keep falling on my head.” (BJ Thomas)
Apart from the chill, light rains may also occur during this season. Usually, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains affect Northern and Central Luzon. But whenever a Low Pressure Area (LPA) or tropical cyclone prevails within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the northeasterly winds may converge with it, dumping rainfall over the affected areas.
3. “Somebody take the storm away.” (Bobby Brown)
The peak of amihan does not equate to the absence of tropical cyclones. At least 1 or 2 tropical cyclones may still enter our premises. In fact, the stronger the amihan is, the higher the chance of the cyclone hitting the land. Amihan tends to divert the pathway of cyclones entering the PAR. So, aside from moving in a more northward direction, cyclones are being pushed down to the landmass.
4. “You’re hot and you’re cold.” (Katy Perry)
The cold and dry characteristics of amihan are the opposite of what a cyclone needs to sustain its energy. A cyclone needs warm and moist surroundings to maintain its intensity. If amihan strengthens, it may cause a cyclone or an LPA to weaken and may even dissipate.
5. “Ocean deep, I’m afraid to show my feelings.” (Cliff Richard)
Just like the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, amihan can also trigger rough coastal waters. Gale warnings are usually issued by PAGASA in areas with strong to gale force winds. Rough to very rough sea conditions may interrupt sea travel as sea conditions may be risky for fishing boats and other small sea craft.
What do you want to be when you grow up? For sure, some kids would say: to become an astronaut. In fact, we all probably dreamed of the same thing at some point in our lives. There’s something about outer space that fascinates us. Proof of this are all the space-oriented books, movies and TV shows present in our pop culture.
But space exploration entails great discipline. Astronauts are trained through a human spaceflight program to either command, pilot or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. If you’re one of those dreaming to become an astronaut, here are some of the things you need to do before handing in that application:
STUDY FIRST!
One of the basic requirements of being an astronaut is having a bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the International Space Station (ISS) can only accommodate six persons at a time because each exploration is quite pricey. That is why it is vital for NASA to send only highly qualified individuals to ensure the success of the mission.
BE PHYSICALLY FIT.
For obvious reasons, being healthy and fit is also one of NASA’s basic requirements to become an astronaut. You must have:
• A distant visual acuity of 20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye
• A sitting blood pressure of 140/190
• Height between 62 and 75 inches tall
These basic physical characteristics ensure that you would be able to perform your job well while you are in orbit. An emergency flight back to earth due to a health concern may not be feasible.
Astronauts in training
Image source: www.wordpress.com; www.jsc.nasa.gov
MORE TRAINING!
Once accepted into the program, you can’t be called a full-fledged astronaut just yet. Candidates must undergo a two-year rigid training in order to be space-ready. This includes learning about the International Space Station and the basics of spaceflight. Candidates also undergo military water training, swimming tests and are exposed to extreme conditions, such as high and low atmospheric pressures. These rigorous activities are designed to prepare potential astronauts to what they may experience in orbit.
However, there’s no assurance that right after training, successful astronauts will immediately go to space. Most of NASA’s astronauts work as support crew to other astronauts in orbit. This is another form of training for them to gain more knowledge and skills so that when it’s their turn to fly into orbit, they will be better equipped.
Once an astronaut is scheduled for a mission, he spends a few more years of training, which includes more classroom learning and simulation trainings—but this time, these would be held all over the world. He will also get a chance to train with his crewmates so they will be more familiar with each other and their specific responsibilities.
It should also be noted that astronauts don’t just spend their time working solely with NASA. They also work with the agency’s international partners, such as training facilities in Canada.
We all know that the universe is vast with hidden mysteries waiting to be discovered. If you dream of being an astronaut, you must be dedicated enough to face all the challenges that you might encounter. When you love what you’re doing, you’ll be able to surpass everything in order to reach your dream—and yes, even outer space.
Sources:
http://www.space.com/25786-how-to-become-an-astronaut.html
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.html
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question5341.htm
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-NASA-astronauts-need-to-have-a-degree-in-math-or-science
By: Jeroh P. Hiyastro – Panahon.TV Intern