Wind convergence causes thunderstom in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines—Heavy rains pelted a large section of Metro Manila on Friday afternoon due to a thunderstorm caused by the convergence of winds from the Pacific and the northeast.

The state weather bureau issued a thunderstorm advisory covering the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela at 12:30 p.m., saying the rain and thunder could last up to two hours.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the thunderstorm was caused by the convergence of the easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific, and cool northeasterly winds from Taiwan.

Pagasa advised the public to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong gusty winds, lightning and possible flash floods.

Forecaster Alvin Pura said the weather conditions became favorable for the formation of clouds because of the convergence of the warm and cool winds.

“In physics we know that warm air rises and cold air sinks, so when you have easterlies joining up with northeasterly winds, the easterlies will be pushed upward, and this becomes conducive to the formation of clouds,” he said.

Pura said thunderstorms lasting from 30 minutes to an hour at a time could continue to occur within the next 12 hours.

“By weekend, we expect generally fairer weather in Metro Manila,” he said.

In its weather outlook for Saturday, Pagasa said Cagayan Valley, the provinces of Aurora and Quezon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Davao, Caraga and Metro Manila will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms.

The rest of the country, on the other hand, will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, it added.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the east to northeast over the rest of the country, Pagasa said. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate, it added.