By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, June 21 (PNA) — With the frequent occurrence of rains in most parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday it is expecting the onset of the rainy season within the next few days.
In its weather advisory, the state-run agency said the prevailing weather condition in the country is warm and humid characterized by frequent occurrence of rainshowers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening. <pIt is expected that in the coming days, moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over most parts of Western Luzon and Western Visayas due to the southwest monsoon.
PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the setting in of the southwest monsoon marks the start of the rainy season.
“Yung low-pressure area last week na nag-dissipate yesterday, ito ‘yung nag-trigger sa southwest monsoon, so expected natin na this coming week will be the onset of the rainy season once it meets the criteria,” Aurelio told the PNA in an interview.
PAGASA has yet to declare the onset of rainy season as there are “conditions” that have to be met, he said.
Aside from the presence of the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat,” he said another criteria before PAGASA can declare the beginning of the wet season is the amount of rainfall, which must register a total of 25 millimeters or more, for five consecutive days in five major weather stations.
Last year, PAGASA officially declared the start of the wet season on June 10.
For Sunday’s weather forecast, PAGASA said the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) across the Visayas, which is the thick clouds coming from the south of Asia, is considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones.
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Bicol Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), the Visayas and Mindanao.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and coming from the southwest over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.
Aurelio said that in the next two to three days, there is no weather disturbance seen near the Philippine Area of Responsibility. (PNA)