El Niño may bring more rain to western part of PH during habagat season – Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — The El Niño phenomenon, which is anticipated to bring hot and dry weather across the Philippines in the coming months, may also bring more rain to the western part of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday.
Pagasa said there is an 80 percent chance that the El Niño phenomenon will begin between June and August and last until the first quarter of 2024.
This phenomenon may coincide with the southwest monsoon or “habagat” season, which Pagasa said takes place from May to September.
“Nakikita po natin na kapag po habagat, mas madami pong ulan ang natatanggap ng ating kababayan natin lalo na sa Luzon area, particular diyan sa western Luzon area. Yan po yung tinatawag natin na Type I climate na medyo maulan sa panahon ng habagat,” said Pagasa Assistant Weather Services chief Analisa Solis in the Laging Handa Public Hearing.
(During the southwest monsoon season, there is more rain, especially in the western part of Luzon. That is what we call the Type I climate, which is rainy during the southwest monsoon seasons.)
Article continues after this advertisementShe explained that with the combined effects of El Niño, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle would be reversed.
Article continues after this advertisementAs a result, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and the Bicol region can anticipate more rain despite the dry season.
The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by warmer sea surface temperatures, creating favorable conditions for a tropical cyclone.
“Favorable po sa tropical cyclone development ang ating Tropical Pacific, dahil sabi nga po natin kapag El Niño, umiinit ng hindi karaniwan itong ating temperatura ng ating dagat, which is favorable for tropical cyclone formation,” she said.
(Tropical cyclone development is favorable in the Tropical Pacific because, as we said, the seas become unusually warmer, which is favorable for tropical cyclone formation.)
However, she added that many of these storms will likely dissipate before they hit the Philippine landmass or recurve around it.
Nonetheless, tropical cyclones may still enhance the effects of the southwest monsoon.
