Pagasa: 2015 El Niño may shatter previous records

THE strong El Niño prevailing in the Philippines may break previous records, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday.

“A number of climate models show that the ongoing El Niño event is comparable or may even surpass the [sea surface temperature anomalies or SSTAs] observed during the 1997-98 El Niño,” Vicente Malano, acting administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services and Administration said.

The 1997-1998 El Niño was the strongest on record in the past 100 years.

Based on predictions, the current El Niño and associated SST warming may further strengthen and will most likely persist until the second quarter of 2016.

On Tuesday, Pagasa declared that a strong El Niño is already prevailing in the Philippines after three months of monitoring.

“Adverse impacts include below normal rainfall that could lead to dry spell and drought conditions in most parts of the country until the first quarter of 2016. Warmer than normal air temperatures are also likely to be felt,” Pagasa said.

The weather bureau assured the public that it will closely monitor these conditions, give regular updates and advisories.

Concerned agencies and institutions were also advised by Pagasa to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the current El Niño .