Tropical Depression “Bising” is not expected to hit any part of the Philippine landmass; however, rains will still be experienced in most parts of the country.
At 4 AM today, Bising was estimated at 410 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. With maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph, it is forecast to move north-northwest at 11 kph.

In an interview with PanahonTV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza said this tropical cyclone is expected to recurve and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the next days without hitting any part of the country.

“Ito’y nagre-recurve o hindi tatama dito sa ating kalupaan dahil sa malakas na wind shear na malapit dito sa Pilipinas. Ito yung malakas na hangin na nagtutulak papalayo sa ating Bagyong Bising kaya hindi nga ito makaka-landfall sa ating kalupaan.” (It recurved due to the strong wind shear near the Philippines. These winds are pushing Tropical Depression Bising away from the landmass.)

No storm signals were raised, but moderate to occasionally heavy rains are expected within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical cyclone.

Aside from Bising, the Northeast Monsoon is also dominant in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, affecting Luzon. Today, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in Visayas, Mindanao, Bicol Region, and the province of Quezon. Cloudy skies with light rains are also expected in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon. In Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains will prevail.

The Northeast Monsoon, enhanced by Bising, is also causing strong to gale force winds in the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

The first weekend of February this year will be rainy, brought about by the month’s first cyclone, Tropical Depression Bising. As of 5 AM today, it was spotted at 560 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Garnering maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph, it is expected to move west-northwest at 13 kph.

In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Lori dela Cruz said Bising has a slim chance of hitting the land and instead, may re-curve away from the country. Based on the climatological records of the weather bureau, a cyclone that enters the Philippine premises during this month usually has a slim chance of making landfall.

Along with Bising, the Northeast Monsoon or Hanging Amihan prevails in Luzon. No tropical cyclone warning signal was issued today, but rains are more likely to affect several parts of the archipelago. Residents of Visayas, Mindanao, Bicol Region and the province of Quezon are advised to prepare for cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced in the Cagayan Valley Region and the province of Aurora. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail in Metro Manila, the regions of Ilocos and Cordillera, and the rest of Central Luzon. The rest of the country will have generally fair weather condition with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Just like the Southwest Monsoon or Hanging Habagat, Amihan can also be enhanced by a tropical cyclone that can boost stronger winds and higher waves. As a result, rough to very rough seas may be experienced in the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

These include the Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, the eastern coasts of Albay, Sorsogon and Quezon including Polillo Island, the coasts of Northern & Eastern Samar, and the eastern coasta of Leyte, Surigao, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Island and Siargao. Wave height could reach up to 4.5 meters, making it risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft to venture out into the sea.

The Philippines remains storm-free on the first day of February though rains may prevail due to the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as Hanging Amihan. Amihan is cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia. It usually begins to affect the country during the ber months and peaks in January until the early part of February.

Some parts of Luzon may have a gloomy start as cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in Metro Manila and the provinces of Isabela, Aurora, Rizal and Quezon. Meanwhile, light rains may also affect the regions of Cordillera, Ilocos, the rest of Cagayan Valley and the rest of Central Luzon. The remaining parts of the country will have generally fair weather condition apart from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the latter part of the day.

Along with the rains, Amihan also brings cooler weather mostly during night time or early morning. Here’s a quick recap of the lowest temperatures recorded in the previous month.

Gale warning is up inthe northern seaboard of Northern Luzon. These include Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected with wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

As another month begins, another Low Pressure Area (LPA) was spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The weather disturbance was last located at 1, 700 kilometers east-southeast of Mindanao. According to an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong, the LPA is expected to enter our premises tomorrow, and may also develop into a tropical cyclone. If it develops into a tropical depression after entering the PAR, it will be named as “Bising”, the first cyclone for February 2017.

Quitlong also discussed that an average of 0-1 tropical cyclone usually develops within the PAR during the month of February. Based on the climatological record of the weather bureau, a cyclone normally re-curves away from the landmass. Since the current LPA is still outside the PAR, PAGASA is yet to give its definite track. The public is advised to monitor updates and further development.

In case you missed it, here’s our full interview with PAGASA earlier today: https://youtu.be/MxnwkokNsXo

After dumping rains in some parts of Caraga, Davao Region and Palawan, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has already weakened and dissipated.

However, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar said that the Tail-End of a Cold Front remains dominant in the eastern section of Northern Luzon.

On the last day of January 2017, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the province of Aurora.

For areas under Ilocos Region, cloudy skies with light rains will prevail.

In the remaining parts of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be experienced.

Gale warning remains in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon where rough to very rough seas are expected.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves that could reach as high as 3.4 to 4.5 meters.

Today January 30, 2017, a very lucky woman will be crowned the 65th Miss Universe at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

According to PAGASA, two weather systems are still bringing rains in the country today. These include a Low Pressure Area (LPA) estimated at 330 kilometers south-southwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Meanwhile, the Tail-End of a Cold Front is affecting the Eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon.

Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides are expected in Palawan.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in Cagayan Valley Region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon.

Cloudy skies with light rains are expected in Cordillera and Ilocos Region.

For the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies or generally fair weather will prevail only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

More than 80 candidates from all over the world are in the Philippines as the country is hosting the Miss Universe competition for the third time. The country first hosted the competition in 1974 when Spain’s Amparo Muñoz was crowned while the second happened in 1994 with Sushmita Sen of India winning as Miss Universe.

Just last year, our candidate Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe.

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.