Are you enjoying the cold weather? The early days of February brought in chilly temperatures, thanks to the northeast monsoon or amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Siberia or Mainland China. According to PAGASA, the amihan season will last until the third week of the month. But aside from the cool relief the weather brings, it also comes with risks.
Sipon or Common Colds. Research shows that the cold virus survives and reproduces more effectively during this season, making it easier for it to spread and infect people. To reduce the risk of getting a cold, observe proper hygiene, such as washing your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay away from people who are sick.
Trangkaso or Flu. To avoid flu, short for influenza, avoid close contact with people who are sick, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces at home.
Asthma. Cold weather triggers asthma attacks because cold and dry air irritates the airways, causing their muscles to spasm. To prevent this, outdoor exercise should be limited.
Sore throat. Cold air usually dries out throat tissues, causing severe irritation. To avoid sore throat, frequently wash hands and sanitize frequently-touched things. Always cover both neck and head when going outside.
Dry skin. During this season, our skin’s moisture easily evaporates, making skin tight, flaky, and dry. To lessen the dryness, use moisturizers and gentle soap, and avoid bathing in hot water.
Whatever the weather is, make sure to observe proper hygiene, and take precautionary measures to lessen your exposure to viruses that may trigger these illnesses.
In the meantime, enjoy the sweater weather while it lasts!
LPA may develop into a Tropical Depression
A Low Pressure Area (LPA) still persists within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
At 3:00 AM today, the LPA was at 95 kilometers north-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robert Badrina, the LPA may continue to intensify and develop into a Tropical Depression within the next 24 hours. If this happens, the country’s 11th Tropical Cyclone this year will be named “Kiko.”
As the LPA prevails, Ilocos Region, Batanes and the Babuyan group of Islands will have moderate to occasionally heavy rains, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Metro Manila, Cordillera, Central Luzon, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Mindoro, Cavite, and Batangas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies except for isolated light to occasionally heavy rains due to thunderstorms.
Question of the Day
As the “ber” months set in, Panahon TV Facebook follower Ryan Edward Sol asked: “Should we expect the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan to prevail next month?”
According to Badrina, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat is still expected to prevail until October. Badrina noted that the Amihan begins in November and will be felt in Metro Manila starting December until February.
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: