Pagasa: La Niña is weakening, expect normal weather by May

MANILA, Philippines — The La Niña phenomenon in the country is already weakening, which means less rains and a normal weather may be expected by May, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday.

La Niña, the counterpart of El Niño, is characterized by below-normal sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator — a result of shifting wind patterns in the atmosphere.

Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja explained that with La Niña, rain clouds or cyclones are more prone to develop thus there is more occurrence of rain.

“The moment na humihina o bumabalik sa normal yung temperature ng ating karagatan, mas kaunti na ‘yung pamumuo ng makakapal na ulap at kumakaunti na ‘yung inaasahan na pag ulan,” he said.

“Sa buwan ng Mayo, mataas ‘yung tsansa na babalik na tayo sa mga nagdaang Mayo kung saan mainit o maalinsangan ‘yung mga nararanasan natin na on the first half of May,” he added.

In April, however, Estareja said there is a “slight indication” that there will still be a La Niña so rains could still be expected.

For Wednesday’s weather, Pagasa said cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms is expected over Caraga, Davao Region, Bicol Region, Eastern and Central Visayas due to the tail-end of a frontal system and easterlies.

Flash floods or landslides may occur during moderate to at times heavy rains, it warned.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will bring cloudy skies with light rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora and Quezon.

It will likewise bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains over Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon.

Pagasa said no significant impact is expected.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies.

Pagasa warned of possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds in the northeast direction will prevail over Luzon and eastern section of Visayas, coupled with moderate to rough coastal conditions.

Meanwhile, light to moderate winds from east to northeast as well as slight to moderate sea waters is expected over Mindanao and the rest of Visayas, Pagasa said.

EDV