El Niño Watch: Alert raised; Pagasa predicts hotter days from June to August

MANILA, Philippines — The weather bureau raised an El Niño Alert Tuesday, forecasting dry conditions in the Philippines from June to August until early 2024, upgrading from its prior El Niño Watch.

“Recent conditions and model forecasts indicate that El Niño may emerge in the coming season (June-July-August) at 80% probability and may persist until the first quarter of 2024. With this development, the Pagasa El Niño Southern Oscillation (Enso) Alert and Warning System is now raised to El niño alert,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) state meteorologists.

READ: Pagasa issues El Niño Watch; urges public to prepare for warm, dry season

According to Pagasa’s website, it’s just one level below the actual El Niño.

“El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could have negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country,” said Pagasa.

The El Niño Phenomenon is the warm phase of Enso, and it is defined by sea surface temperatures warmer than average in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, explained Pagasa.

“All concerned government agencies and the general public are encouraged to keep monitoring and take precautionary measures against the impending impacts of El Niño,” said the state weather bureau.

Different parts of the country have already experienced high heat indexes, with the hottest index measured since March is 49 degrees Celsius in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, on April 16.

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