Despite the cyclone’s weakening, PAGASA reminds the public to brace itself for the possible effects of Typhoon Chedeng this weekend.
At 4 PM today, the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 845 kms. east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. Packing winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, Chedeng maintains its typhoon category. However, PAGASA claims it has a higher chance of further weakening as it moves closer to the archipelago. State Meteorologist Aldczar Aurelio says there is a possibility that Chedeng may be downgraded to tropical storm category before hitting the landmass.
One such factor of the typhoon’s weakening is the strong vertical wind shear or the wind strength along the cyclone. Aurelio likened it to a humming top or ‘trumpo’ where winds differ in the bottom and top areas of the cyclone. Chedeng may also weaken due to land interaction, especially in mountainous areas that may help break the cyclone’s wind formation.
In the latest run of the various weather forecasting models of the weather bureau, here’s what we can expect:
April 5 – Sunday
Morning: Chedeng to make landfall over the Aurora-Isabela area.
Evening: Chedeng to leave the landmass via Ilocos Sur.
April 6 – Monday
Morning: Chedeng to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Based on PAGASA’s latest weather bulletin, Public Storm Warning Signal number 1 is raised over Isabela, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Island, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
These areas may still be experiencing good weather conditions now, but the effects of Chedeng may be felt in at least 36 hours, or in a day and a half.
PAGASA also mentions the possibility of hoisting the same warning signal over Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and the Cordillera Administrative Region in the next 12 hours as Chedeng moves closer to Eastern Luzon.
In a press briefing held in PAGASA this afternoon, Aurelio explains that although the country is experiencing good weather today, rains with occasional gusty winds can be expected by late Saturday, escalating to stormy weather, particularly over the Central-Northern Luzon area come Sunday.
In the Greater Metro Manila Area, there is a poor chance of having a storm warning signal raised. However, expect occasional rains and gusty winds as Chedeng crosses the land. The remaining parts of the country, on the other hand, can expect warm and humid weather, Aurelio added.
As Chedeng threatens the country, officials remind the residents living in areas under signal #1 to be prepared against possible flash floods and landslides. Storm surges of up to 2 metes are also possible over the eastern coast of Aurora, Quezon and Isabela. Even fisherfolk over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region and Visayas are advised against sea travel due to the rough to very rough sea conditions generated by Chedeng.
PAGASA declares the termination of the northeast monsoon season in the Philippines, marking the start of the hot and dry season in the country.
With this development, the ridge of high pressure area and the easterlies will be the dominant weather systems in the coming days.
These systems bring generally good weather and warm days in most areas of the Philippines. However, this does not mean we are free from possible wet days.
Isolated cases of rain showers and thunderstorms may also happen due to the following:
1. Urban Heat Island Effect – wherein the concrete structures and the ground are unable to absorb and trap heat from the sun. The warmer the air over the city,the higher its capacity to hold more moisture.
These factors combine to create convergence and lead to thunderstorm formation in a particular locale, especially over the cities as their surfaces are prone to release large quantities of heat.
2. Wind Convergence – wherein two different air masses meet–winds coming from the northeast and the easterlies.
The convergence of the cold and dry air of the northeast winds, and the warm and humid air of the easterlies generate cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms.
On the other hand, seafarers may enjoy calm coastal waters aside from at times moderate waves due to the possible prevalence of the easterlies, particularly over Eastern Luzon and Visayas.
Stay cool this hot season. Take precautionary measures to protect yourself from various heat-related illnesses. Read here: http://www.panahon.tv/blog/2015/03/staying-cool-this-hot-season/
Even before the onset of the Hot and Dry season, parts of the Philippines have already been experiencing hot weather conditions.
That’s why we need to learn how to protect ourselves from the heat, especially those who are at greater risk during this season. These include elderly people aged 65 and above, infants, young children, people who are overweight, with chronic diseases, with mental illness, and even healthy individuals undergoing strenuous physical activities during the hot months. They are the most vulnerable to heat-related incidents as high temperatures can affect the body’s ability to release heat and properly cool down.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Being exposed to high temperatures and inadequate intake of water can result to heat exhaustion. Water depletion and salt depletion are two types of this illness. Although this is not as serious as heat stroke, heat exhaustion is not to be taken lightly as it may progress to heat stroke if left untreated.
Warning Signs:
• Dehydration, intense thirst
• Warm, flushed skin
• Dizziness or fainting
• Weakness or discomfort
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Fatigue
HEAT STROKE
The most serious of heat-related illnesses, heat stroke occurs when the body overheats and is unable to cool down.
This is a life-threatening emergency that may cause permanent disability or worse, death, if medical assistance is not immediately provided.
Warning Signs:
• Very high fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Convulsion
• Delirium
• Unconsciousness
HEAT CRAMPS
Individuals, who remain physically active in hot weather, engaging in activities such as exercise, sports, and extensive manual labor, are vulnerable to heat cramps. These are intermittent, involuntary muscle spasms, and are often associated with dehydration.
Most cases occur in the thigh and leg areas, the core and arm muscles during or after exerting effort in a hot environment.
Warning Sign:
• Muscle spasms that are painful, involuntary, intermittent and may be more intense that the typical muscle cramps
PRICKLY HEAT
Prickly heat or bungang araw is a skin condition characterized by tiny bumps or water blisters that appear due to the clogging of sweat glands during hot and humid weather.
Its most common locations are the forehead, upper back and chest, armpits, and groin areas.
Warning Signs:
• Prickly sensation
• Red bumps or rashes on the skin
• Mild swelling of the affected part
SUNBURN
The most obvious result of staying under the sun for too long is sunburn. It is the term used for reddish, irritated and sometimes, painful skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. It may vary from mild to severe, the extent depending on skin type, amount of exposure to the sun, and the sun’s intensity.
Warning Signs:
• Reddening of the skin
• Development of blisters
• Fever or chills
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weakness
• Itchiness
• Peeling skin
SORE EYES
Another health woe during this season is sore eyes. Also known as conjunctivitis, this is characterized by redness and inflammation of the membranes in the eyes.
It can spread through direct contact with hands contaminated with eye secretions of an infected person, or through other things contaminated with the virus. This can also be acquired by swimming in poorly chlorinated pools.
Warning Signs:
• Watery to pus-like discharge
• Redness of the eye with pain and/or itchiness
• Eyelids stuck together upon waking up
Vacation time, coupled with hot weather conditions, is perfect for different types of outdoor activities. But remember to keep cool and use common sense so you stay healthy during the hottest days of the year.
Here are important tips to prevent heat-related woes:
• Drink plenty of water and replace the salts lost through perspiration.
• Avoid intake of tea, coffee, soda and alcohol to lessen chance of dehydration.
• Schedule rigorous physical activities at the beginning or the end of the day when it’s cooler.
• Take a bath every day.
• Wear light and loose clothing.
• Limit exposure to the sun.
• Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to avoid sunburn prior to going out. Reapply it during the day.
• Adjust to the environment; pace yourself and take it easy.
• Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.
• Stay up-to-date with weather reports to gauge how long you can stay out in the sun.
Sources:
National Center for Health Promotion
Department of Health
Moving in a west northwest direction at 25 kilometers per hour, a tropical storm with international name “Bavi” is now being monitored by PAGASA. According to Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong, as of 8:00AM today, it was located at approximately 3,870 kilometers east of Mindanao.
“Bavi” is still too far to affect the country but if it maintains its speed and direction, it is expected to enter our boundary by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning next week. All are advised to monitor updates and further development.
Meanwhile, compared to yesterday, the northeast monsoon or amihan has slightly weakened. It will affect Northern and Central Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains over Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and the province of Aurora. 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.
As amihan weakens, coastal waters throughout the archipelago will have slight to moderate conditions. Though gale warning was already lifted, all fishing boats and other small sea craft are still advised to be cautious in venturing out into the sea.
The presence of the prevailing amihan also affected the temperatures in Luzon but these were not as low as the previous records. Here are the lowest temperatures recorded in the Philippines yesterday, March 12, 2015:
The northeast monsoon is still the dominant weather system inside the PH boundary.
Today, the islands of Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan will have partly cloudy skies with light precipitation. Meanwhile the rest of the country including Metro Manila will have favorable weather conditions, however PAGASA suggests continuous monitoring as isolated rains and thunderstorms are expected to happen within the day.
The state weather bureau is also monitoring the progress of El Nino. According to PAGASA Meteorologist Buddy Javier, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a reported weak El Nino. However, the full details regarding the matter will be discussed today at the conference to be held at PAGASA.
March 11, 2011: The Great East Japan Quake and Tsunami
Exactly four years ago, the people of Northeast Japan experienced the darkest and longest six minutes of their lives as a 9.0 magnitude earthquake shook their homes, setting off a chain of catastrophic events that killed 15,703 people and destroyed $300 billion worth of properties.
Let us remember the key events that unfolded on those fateful days, which began on March 11, 2011.
The northeast monsoon prevails over Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains over Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan Groups of Islands.
Metro Manila and the remaining parts of the country can enjoy fair weather today.
In related news, the monsoon brings strong to gale force winds, prompting PAGASA to release a new gale warning over the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon. Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected in the coasts of Batanes, Calayan, Cagayan, and the northern coasts of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte.
The agency advises against sea travel along these coastal waters in the following hours as waves may reach up to 4.5 meters.
FIRE PREVENTION MONTH
Be safe from fire-related incidents. Here is how you can keep your home and family safe from fire breakouts.
In case of fire, here are some of the things you can do to lessen its harm.
The good weather continues in the Philippines this week.
Based on PAGASA’s latest weather forecast, the weakened northeast monsoon still only reaches the extreme Northern Luzon area.
Today, the whole archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, as we anticipate the coming of the Hot and Dry season in the country, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong shares the highest temperatures ever recorded in Philippine history.
1) On May 11, 1969, Tuguegarao City peaked at 42.2 degrees Celsius.
2) In Metro Manila, 38.5 degrees Celsius was recorded making May 14, 1987 the hottest day in the metro.
The closest the records got to being broken was when Cabanatuan City experienced 40.4 degrees Celsius in the year 2002.
Aside from the weak northeast monsoon or hanging amihan, the wind convergence also prevails, bringing light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostella Valley. Converging winds include the northeasterly winds and the easterlies. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Though clouds are forming outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza said no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country within the next 2 to 3 days. However, all are still advised to monitor updates from the weather bureau.
On the other hand, temperatures continue to rise as we head towards the official hot and dry season. Here are the highest temperatures recorded in specific areas in the Philippines:
According to Mendoza, temperatures as high as these are just normal during the first week of March. The chance of El Nino phenomenon is still being monitored, but studies show that the probability will decrease in the upcoming months.
For today, Metro Manila will have 20-33 degrees Celsius while Metro Cebu will experience 24-32 degrees Celsius. Metro Davao can expect a bit higher temperature range of 24-33 degrees Celsius.
Application for CLSU presidency closes today
The weak northeast monsoon affects eastern Visayas today.
Based on PAGASA’s latest weather forecast, Eastern Visayas, Davao region and CARAGA will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon can expect, at times, cloudy skies and isolated light rains.
On the other hand, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will enjoy fair weather, apart from isolated cases of rains or thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza shares that the expected monthly rainfall and average temperature in the Philippines this month will be below normal to normal range, particularly in the eastern sections of the country.
Temperatures in the mountainous areas of Luzon will still be slightly cooler, while the lowland areas can expect near normal temperatures, he added.
Visayas will have slightly warmer weather as Mindanao can expect near normal temperatures this March.
