Summer rains snap hot spell

SUDDEN SUMMER RAIN Children frolic on a flooded street in Manila on Friday, following a sudden downpour that ironically occurred as the weather bureau declared the onset of summer this week. The thunderstorm was caused by the convergence of winds from the Pacific and the northeast. It was quite a timely reminder that the world was marking World Water Day. AP/BULLIT MARQUEZ

MANILA, Philippines—A thunderstorm broke the summer heat Friday, bringing heavy rains to a large swatch of Metro Manila.

Weathermen said the thunderstorm was precipitated by the convergence of warm easterly winds from the Pacific with cool northeasterly winds from Taiwan.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a thunderstorm advisory for the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon City and Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

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 to 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 warned that thunderstorms lasting from 30 minutes to an hour could occur within the next 12 hours.

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