Rainy Christmas seen in most of PH due to amihan

MANILA, Philippines — Many parts of the country will experience rainy weather this Christmas due to the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Pagasa Deputy Administrator for Operations & Services Juanito Galang said Metro Manila as well as Northern and Central Luzon may experience light rains due to the effects of the amihan.

According to Pagasa, light rains are classified as having a rainfall intensity of 2.2 millimeters (mm) per hour.

“Sa nakikita natin, halos apektado siya ng northeast monsoon. So mga light rains dito sa most part ng Northern at Central Luzon, kasama ng Metro Manila,” Galang explained.

(Based on our observations, it is largely affected by the northeast monsoon. Light rains are expected across most parts of Northern and Central Luzon, including Metro Manila.)

Galang also noted that parts of Southern Luzon and Visayas will experience moderate to occasionally heavy rains, ranging from 2.5 to greater than 7.5 mm per hour.

“Pero itong southern part ng Southern Luzon and Visayas, makakaranas pa rin ng moderate to occasionally heavy rains. Kaya ingat pa rin po ang mga kababayan natin sa may Bicol region at Visayas area,” he added.

(However, the southern part of Southern Luzon and Visayas will still experience moderate to occasionally heavy rains. We advise our fellow citizens in the Bicol Region and Visayas area to remain cautious.)

Meanwhile, Pagasa weather specialist Samuel Duran clarified that Tropical Depression Querubin, now a low pressure area (LPA), will not have any direct or indirect influence on the weather in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon leading up to Christmas.

Instead, rainy conditions during this period will be caused by the shear line and the northeast monsoon.

“Based din po sa position ng bagyo, nandyan siya banda sa may Mindanao, so ang mas nakikita nating posibilidad ay ‘yung shear line at ’yung amihan ang talagang magpapaulan dito sa Metro Manila and northern part ng Luzon,” Duran explained.

(Based on the storm’s position, it’s currently near Mindanao, so what we see as the more likely cause of rain in Metro Manila and the northern part of Luzon is the shear line and the northeast monsoon.)

Duran further said rainy weather is likely to persist as Christmas approaches due to the potential movement of the LPA, which may enhance the shear line.

“Kung hihina ito into a low pressure area, possible siya na mag-track, or tumungo, or tumawid dito sa may bandang Mindanao. And ‘yung mga models na tinitignan natin at based na rin sa analysis ng ating tropical cyclone forecasters, yung pagkilos ng LPA pwede niyang ma-enhance ‘yung ating shear line,” the state weather specialist said.

(If it weakens into a low-pressure area, it’s possible for it to track, move toward, or cross near Mindanao. Based on the models we’re monitoring and the analysis of our tropical cyclone forecasters, the movement of the LPA could enhance the shear line.)

“So kapag nagka ganon at bumagal din siya, most likely habang papalapit ang ating pasko ay halos tuloy-tuloy ‘yung mga pag-ulan natin,” Duran underscored.

(So if that happens and it slows down, most likely, as Christmas approaches, we can expect continuous rains.)

Pagasa, however, stated that no new tropical cyclones are expected to develop in the country until next week, based on its current forecast.

It then advised the public to continue monitoring official forecasts and updates for any changes in the weather conditions.

The state weather bureau announced the onset of amihan on November 19, signaling cooler weather across the country.