Weather trends in the Philippines
are primarily decided by two winds that alternate in prevailing over the other
on different parts of the year. The northeast wind or “Amihan” usually comes in
late in the year to bring cool winds giving moderate temperatures with minimal
rainfall in Luzon and the Visayasa (Mindanao, not much). The Amihan fades as
the following year goes on, being replaced by the southwest monsoon or “Habagat”
which brings in the rainy season. In between the Amihan-Habagat transition the
Easterlies would strengthen, with hot and humid weather from around March to
June. As it is, the Amihan from late 2020 has gone away this past Wednesday.
According to The Manila Bulletin, the Amihan wind faded significantly from the
Philippine weather system as of March 24 in the afternoon. This was reported by
the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA), which added that come this Thursday, March 25, it is
the Easterlies from the Pacific Ocean that are in play, upping the warmth and
humidity across the country the way it always does anywhere from March until
June or July. But it does not have to be entirely rainless, as the Easterlies
might bring the occasional rain-showers and thunderstorms too.
Next is the bad, or perhaps
uncomfortable, news to add to the hassle of the COVID pandemic. It is the
expected temperature increases that come with the loss of the Amihan and the further
rise of the Easterly winds. PAGASA weather specialist Joey Figuracion notes
that over the next three days Metro Manila’s previous average of 24 degrees
Celsius will go up to 33 degrees. Tuguegarao, hottest place in the country,
will jump from 22 degrees to 34 Celsius. By contrast, in Baguio 16 degrees will
become 25. Metro Cebu’s 25 degrees will become 32 while Metro Davao rises in
temperature from 25 to 34.
For the possibility of scattered
showers and thunderstorms, the weather bureau forecasts them in Sorsogon,
Albay, Catanduanes, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao Region anytime today.
This is due to a prevailing weather front currently over extreme northern
Luzon. While not extensive, these sudden rains could still trigger landslides
or flooding, so PAGASA is again stressing constant vigilance with the public.
The Amihan, while insignificant now, is still present and is not expected to
terminate entirely until sometime this coming weekend. Then the hot season
commences.
Image courtesy of CDN Inquirer.net
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