Pagasa: 2 tropical cyclones may hit PH in December

MANILA, Philippines— Up to two tropical cyclones may hit the country next month as the La Nina season continues, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)

“Possible [na] magkaroon pa rin ng isa hanggang dalawang bagyo for the month of December. Ito ‘yung incoming names natin ay Odette at si Paulo. Base naman po sa [aming] Climatology Division, mataas ang chance na mag-lalandfall ang mga bagyo na pumapasok ng ating area of responsibility,” said Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja.

(One to two tropical cyclones may form during the month of December. They will be named Odette and Paulo. Based on our Climatology Division, it is likely that these tropical cyclones entering our area of responsibility will make landfall.)

He added that there is a low chance of a tropical cyclone entering the country during the weekend or until the end of November.

“For the first quarter of next year, such as January, February or March, ‘yung best case natin is wala tayong ma-eexperience na bagyo and ‘yung worst case is hanggang isang bagyo (our best case is that we don’t experience any tropical cyclone and the worst case is one tropical cyclone) for each month,” Estareja said.

He noted that the Philippines is currently experiencing a “weak” La Nina season, which has an 80% chance of lasting until the first quarter next year.

The state weather bureau has said that La Nina is typically associated with above-normal rainfall conditions in many parts of the country during the last quarter of the year and early months of the following year.

According to Estareja, the onset of La Nina may bring more rainfall in the eastern section of Luzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Panay Island,  Negros, Cebu, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte and Bukidnon in December.

Other parts of the country are likely to experience normal rainfall during this period, he added.

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