Pagasa: La Niña weakening; below-normal rain likely for Luzon in April
MANILA, Philippines — The weakening of La Niña, or the condition where the Pacific Ocean’s sea surface temperatures cool down, is highly possible in the coming months, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Pagasa said Tuesday the climate is already transitioning to a “neutral phase” of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) that may result in a below-normal amount of rainfall for Luzon, and normal to above-normal rain for the rest of the country.
“Ayon pa rin po sa pagtaya ng ating climatology division, papahina na po ang La Niña, at tayo po ay nagta-transition na patungo sa tinatawag nating neutral phase ng El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Ibig sabihin po hindi El Niño, at hindi rin La Niña, at mataas po ang likelihood n’yan ngayong Abril, Mayo, at Hunyo,” weather specialist Ariel Rojas said.
(According to forecasts from our climatology division, the La Niña is weakening and we are transitioning to a neutral phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation. This means it’s neither El Niño nor La Niña, and this has a high likelihood this April, May, and June.)
“At ang forecast naman po sa mga pag-ulan ngayong April 2021, ang malaking bahagi ng Luzon ay makakatanggap ng mas mababa sa normal na mga pag-ulan, at para naman sa ibang bahagi ng ating bansa, halos o mas mataas sa normal na pag-ulan ang mararanasan,” he added.
(And our rainfall predictions for April show that a huge part of Luzon will receive a below-normal amount of rainfall while other parts of the country will have normal or above-normal rain.)
Pagasa also said they are expecting a maximum of one tropical cyclone to enter the country for the month of April as there is also a great chance that no weather disturbance will form.
In the Philippines, dry season usually reaches its peak by April and May, which means hotter weather and high heat indexes that if left unchecked may lead to worsening health conditions for people as it may cause heatstroke, dehydration, and heat fatigue.
Pagasa reminded the public to avoid strenuous and unnecessary outdoor activities, and boost fluid intake, especially water, in order to stay hydrated.
“At dahil nga po mainit na po sa malaking bahagi ng ating bansa, meron po tayong kaunting reminders para po malabanan ang heatstroke at heat stress ngayong tag-init. At kung hindi naman po kinakailangang lumabas ng bahay ay manatili na lamang po sa loob especially dito po sa may Luzon area, at dito po sa may Metro Manila at karatig probinsya,” Rojas said.
(And because we may have hot weather for a huge part of the country, Pagasa has some reminders for the public to avoid heatstroke at heat stress. For those who do not need to stay outside of their homes, they should stay in especially for Luzon, Metro Manila, and its nearby provinces.)
“Kung hindi naman po maiiwasan na lumabas, especially ‘yong ating mga essential workers at ‘yong mga kailangang mamili po ng kanilang mga kinakailangan sa mga tindahan, magdala po o magsuot ng pananggalang sa sikat ng araw, at magsuot po ng light colored na damit,” he added.
(If you cannot avoid going out, especially for our essential workers and those who would need to buy supplies from stores, it’s best to bring or wear something that would deflect the sun’s hot rays, and wear light-colored clothing.)
Earlier, Pagasa said the warm and humid conditions being experienced in Luzon will continue seeing a prevalence of high temperatures across the island. But Visayas and Mindanao will be colder as a low-pressure area is forecast to bring rain and cloudy skies over these regions.
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