Pagasa: No tropical cyclones expected until end of January
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) says in a public report on Friday, January 26, 2024, that no tropical cyclone may develop within or enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) until the end of the month. Weather satellite image from Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — State meteorologists predicted Friday no tropical cyclones would enter or develop within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) until the end of the month.
However, state weather agency expert Benison Estareja said in a public report that overcast skies and rain may occur in several areas of the country due to the prevailing influence of the shear line and northeast monsoon (locally known as amihan).
“Wala naman tayong inaasahang bagyong papasok ng ating Philippine area of responsibility and low chance na magkakaroon pa tayo hanggang sa matapos ang buwan na ito,” said Estareja, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
(We do not expect any typhoons to enter our Philippine area of responsibility, and we see a low chance that we will have one by the end of this month.)
“Sa ngayon ay umiiral pa din ang shear line at nagpapaulan pa din ito sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas and Mindanao,” he continued.
(Right now, the shear line still exists, causing rain in large parts of Visayas and Mindanao.)
“Inaasahan din ang epekto ng amihan sa natitirang bahagi ng Visayas at malaking bahagi ng Luzon. Ito ay nagdadala ng malamig na panahon at mahihinang pag-ulan doon,” he added.
(Effects of the northeast monsoon are also expected in the rest of the Visayas and large parts of Luzon. It is bringing cold weather and light rains in those areas.)
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In its 4:00 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said Eastern Visayas and Caraga may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the shear line on Friday.
It also indicated that the northeast monsoon will bring overcast skies with rain over the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Aurora, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Aklan, and Capiz.
The northeast monsoon-influenced weather in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and may see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rain on Friday, according to the Pagasa advisory.
The rest of the country may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms, it added.
Pagasa, meanwhile, raised a gale warning over several seaboards of the country due to the effects of the northeast monsoon.
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Friday’s gale alert covered the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao, including Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur; and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, including Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon.
Pagasa said the coasts of these areas may have rough to very rough seas with 2.8 to 4.5 meters of waves within 30 nautical miles from the shore.
“Sea travel is risky for small sea crafts. Mariners of these vessels are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor,” Pagasa said.
“For larger vessels, operating in these conditions required experience and properly equipped vessels,” it added.
