Pagasa declares end of El Niño

Photo shows a drought-hit farm in Imus, Cavite, taken on March 2, 2024. (INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES)

MANILA, Philippines— The El Niño phenomenon has ended, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced on Friday.

The Pagasa El Niño Southern Oscillation Alert and Warning System (ENSO) was also lowered to inactive (ENSO-neutral), while the La Niña watch remains in effect.

The El Niño phenomenon, according to Pagasa, is a “large-scale oceanographic/meteorological phenomenon that develops in the Pacific Ocean and is associated with extreme climatic variability” such as devastating rains, winds, and drought.

“DOST [Department of Science and Technology]-Pagasa announces the end of El Niño, as the conditions in the tropical Pacific have returned to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral levels. Moreover, a transition from ENSO-neutral to La Niña remains likely (about 69% chance) by July-August-September 2024 season,” Pagasa said in a statement.

It added that despite the ENSO-neutral condition and prevailing “habagat”, or southwest monsoon, the impacts of El Niño, such as “warmer-than-usual surface temperature and below-normal rainfall,”  may still prevail in some parts of the country.

“DOST-Pagasa will continue to closely monitor any significant developments in this climate phenomenon,” Pagasa said.

It also encouraged the public and all concerned government agencies to monitor and take precautionary measures against impending climate impacts.