The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) has oscillated and is now affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas.
ITCZ is characterized as an area where winds coming from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet; this interaction results to rains in the affected areas.
As this weather system prevails, Metro Manila, Bicol Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Aurora and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Elsewhere, partly cloudy to cloudy skies prevail only with chances of localized thunderstorms.
Warm Weather on Rizal’s Birth Anniversary
The Ridge of a High Pressure Area (HPA) continues to bring generally fair weather in the country. This weather system suppresses cloud formation, causing lesser chance of rains. As it prevails today, partly cloudy to cloudy skies prevail in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao though isolated rain showers and thunderstorms are still possible.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, he mentioned that no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country within the next two to three days.
Non-working Holiday
While it’s a back-to-work Monday in most areas of the country, some provinces are enjoying an extended vacation today. These include Ifugao, which celebrates its provincial foundation anniversary, and Laguna, the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal whose birth we commemorate today.
Here are expected weather conditions and temperatures in these areas:
Rains in Soccsksargen areas
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to bring rains to some areas in Southern Mindanao.
This Saturday, portions of the Soccsksargen Region, including Sarangani and South Cotabato should still brace for light to moderate rains. Meanwhile, in the rest of Mindanao, a generally fair weather will be experienced. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail in Luzon and Visayas.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Obet Badrina, he mentioned that no tropical cyclone is expected to affect the country this weekend.
Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week 2017
Meanwhile, to further strengthen the nation’s readiness for tropical cyclones and their possible effects, the Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week 2017 was officially launched.
In a press conference held in Quezon City yesterday, Dr. Esperanza O. Cayanan, the chief of PAGASA Weather Division, highlighted that the bureau will now use “impact-based” information dissemination instead of focusing on the figures and data.
Nine to 14 tropical cyclones are expected to enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until November this year.
Generally fair weather prevails today. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will affect the archipelago only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening as Easterlies, or warm and humid air from the Pacific Ocean, dominates.
Perez said, warm and humid weather is still expected today and heat index can soar up to 39.6 degrees Celsius.
If this good weather continues, we can enjoy various festivals this month.
In the Philippines, each city or municipality has a local festival of its own. The celebration includes the feast of the town’s patron saint, as well as an abundance of local products. Some of the festivals celebrated in May are the Bawang Festival of Ilocos province, the Hundred Islands Festival in Pangasinan, the Pahiyas Festival in Quezon, and the Flores de Mayo in almost every town.
Photo from PanahonTV Live Producer Paul Michael Caisip
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.
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.
