The tropical cyclone with international name “Higos: is now in typhoon category. Packing winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph, it slowly moves in a northwest direction.
State Meteorologist Manny Mendoza assures the public that Higos has a very slim chance of entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Today, the northeast monsoon continues to prevail over Luzon, bringing cloudy skies and light rains over the regions of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos and Bicol as well as the provinces of Aurora and Quezon.
The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have isolated light rains. Visayas and Mindanao, on the other hand, will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the following hours.
Meanwhile, strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of the northeast monsoon brings rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Fishermen are advised against sea travel in these coasts today.
WEATHER 101
Temperature and relative humidity are always included in PAGASA’s weather forecast. How does it affect our daily living?
Let’s start by defining these terms. Temperature is the degree of how hot or cold the atmosphere. Meanwhile, relative humidity is the amount of atmospheric moisture or water vapor the air can hold at a particular temperature.
Mendoza explains if we have higher temperature and lower relative humidity, it means we are having warm and humid weather. This is usually associated with the easterlies or the winds coming from the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, if we have lower temperatures and higher relative humidity, it results to cold and dry air –also experienced same as during the northeast monsoon season.
The northeast monsoon or amihan, characterized by cold and dry air from Siberia or Mainland China, brings lower temperatures and light rains mostly over the northern sections of the Philippines. Today, it prevails over Northern Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains over the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have at times cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
On the other hand, Eastern Visayas and CARAGA will experience light to moderate rains today so better bring your umbrellas before leaving for work or school. The remaining part of the country can expect fair weather conditions with partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the following hours.
Meanwhile, strong to gale force winds is expected over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, prompting PAGASA to issue a new gale warning this morning. Sea travel will be risky over the mentioned seaboards. Fishermen are advised against venturing out into the sea in the following hours.
In other news, Tropical Storm Higos is now located at 2,300 kms. east of the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Packing winds of 100 kph and gustiness of up to 180 kph, it continues to move in a west northwest direction. State Meteorologist Meno Mendoza says it is still too far to affect the country. However, continuous monitoring will be implemented.
WORLD WEATHER NEWS IN NEW ENGLAND
After the record-breaking late January blizzard, New England prepares for another big storm in the following days.
Classes have been cancelled in Boston until Tuesday. Drivers and commuters are also warned against travel as they brace for another winter storm over a big part of Southern New England as well as Central New York and the Western Catskills – areas identified in the winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service.
The northeast monsoon continues to affect Luzon and Eastern Visayas. This cold and dry air will bring mostly partly cloudy skies with light rains in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos, Bicol and Eastern Visayas and in the provinces of Aurora and Quezon, while Metro Manila will have fair weather conditions aside from drizzling.
Good weather will prevail in the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.
Due to the surge of the northeast monsoon, gale warning is up over the seaboards of Northern Luzon. This includes Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Ilocos provinces, La Union, Pangsinan and Isabela. Seaboards mentioned will have rough to very rough sea conditions caused by wind speeds of 52 to 63 kilometers per hour.
Wave height may reach 4.5 meters. Fisherfolk and other small sea vessels are advised against big waves.
February: Good morning to colder weather!
According to PAGASA, the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, is at its peak during this month. Aside from light rains, colder mornings will be more common.
Yesterday, most parts of Luzonexperienced lower temperatures, which are expected to drop in the coming days.
The northeast monsoon continues to be the dominant wind system today affecting Luzon and Eastern Visayas. Expect cloudy skies with light rains in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas, including the provinces of Quezon and Aurora.
In the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, isolated light rains will be experienced within the day. Meanwhile, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will enjoy fair weather.
At 5 AM today, the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City recorded its lowest temperature this year at 20 degrees Celsius, while Baguio City recorded 13 degrees Celsius.
Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza said that February is the peak of the northeast monsoon season, so better be ready with your blankets and jackets, especially at night and during early morning.
Le Tour De Filipinas 6th Edition
Le Tour De Filipinas ended successfully yesterday with its final leg composed of a101-kilometer distance of mountainous terrain from Pangasinan all the way to Baguio City.
Cyclist endured the surge of the northeast monsoon, which added to the challenge, before they reached the finish line.
Below were the winners for Le Tour Stage 4.
1st Place: POURSEYEDIGOLAKHOUR, Mirsamad of TPT Cycling Team
2nd Place: ASKARI, Hossein of Pishgaman Yazd Pro Team
3rd Place: LEBAS, Thomas of Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team
Stage 4 Jersey Winners
Yellow Jersey – LEBAS, Thomas of Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team
Green Jersey – AMBROSE, Scott of Team Novo Nordisk
Polka Dot Jersey – ASKARI, Hossein of Pishgaman Yazd Pro Cycling Team
White Jersey – ZEMIAKOV, Oleg of Kazakhstan National Team
Best Philippine Rider – GALEDO, Mark of Team 7-Eleven
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.
Tropical storm Amang made its first landfall at 3:00 PM yesterday. At 7:00 AM today, it was estimated at 60 kilometers north northeast of Sorsogon City or 25 kilometers southwest of Virac, Catanduanes packing winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 100 kilometers per hour. At a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, it moves in a northwest direction.
Public Storm Warning Signals are still up overs some areas of Luzon and Visayas.
Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under the storm signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Occurrence of ocean waves that may reach 6.5 meters are still possible within the 350 kilometer-diameter of Amang.
Bicol Region and the provinces of Samar, Quezon and Aurora will experience stormy weather. Metro Manila, the rest of CALABARZON and the provinces of Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque at Romblon will have rains with gusty winds. Western Visayas and the province of Leyte will be cloudy with light to moderate rains.
The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a chance of thunderstorms while the rest of Luzon will be cloudy with light rains brought by the northeast monsoon or amihan.
Meanwhile, sea travel for fishing boats and other small seacraft is still risky on the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.
Papal Visit Day 4 Weather Forecast
Eastern and Central Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and possible thunderstorms due to the trough or the extension of a low pressure area (LPA). The rest of Visayas will have fair weather apart from isolated cases of rains.
The northeast monsoon continues to prevail over Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains in the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. As for Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, skies will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated light rains.
Meanwhile, the LPA is now estimated at 1,990 kms. east of Mindanao. State Meteorologist Buddy Javier says it is still expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday.
Current data analysis shows a less probability of the LPA crossing the Visayas as compared to it moving towards Luzon before recurving to the northeast where it will weaken due to cold air intrusion. PAGASA implements continuous monitoring as significant changes may occur.
PAPAL VISIT WEATHER OUTLOOK
PAGASA releases a special weather outlook during Pope Francis’s visit covering January 13 to 19, 2015.
Starting January 13-17, Metro Manila is expected to have generally good weather condition aside from passing light rains due to the northeast monsoon. However, moderate to heavy rains are possible come Sunday, January 18, as the monitored weather disturbance is expected to move near the eastern side of Southern Luzon. By Monday, January 19, a rainy weather condition will continue in Metro Manila as the weather disturbance moves north and is expected to recurve in a northeast direction.
Meanwhile, in Tacloban, light to moderate rain showers are expected on Friday and Saturday (January 16-17). Thunderstorms are also likely to occur. This weather condition will continue on Sunday. Improved weather conditions are then expected by Monday.
The northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” still prevails over Luzon this Monday, bringing cloudy skies with light rains over the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. Isolate cases of light rains are also expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Eastern Visayas, CARAGA and Davao regions, on the other hand, will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorm, while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao can expect a fair weather condition apart from localized thunderstorms.
Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. Sea travel is risky due to the rough to very rough sea conditions generated by the strong surge of the northeast monsoon.
Meanwhile, PAGASA continues to monitor the low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier says it is expected to enter PAR on Thursday. Current analysis of the forecasting models show three scenarios of what may happen to the said weather disturbance – to dissipate, to recurve or to intensify as a tropical cyclone, which would make it the first bagyo this year.
In other news, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded 73 kms. east of Hernani in Eastern Samar at 12:07 this morning. There are no expected aftershocks or damage that may occur in the following hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Only one weather system is affecting the country–the northeast monsoon extending over the Luzon area. This will bring isolated lights rains in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Meanwhile, the CARAGA and Davao regions will experiecne light to moderate rain showers brought by wind convergence. The meeting of the northeast monsoon and easterlies creates thunderstorm clouds.
The rest of the country will continue to have fair weather aside from isolated rains in the afternoon or evening.
Lowest tenperature today
As of 2 AM, below is the list of PAGASA’s recorded minimum tenperatures in the Luzon area.
