PAGASA Declares Onset of Rainy Season, Southwest Monsoon to Bring Rains on Thursday

Expect rainshowers in the coming days as state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declares the onset of the rainy season.

The southwest monsoon or hanging habagat becomes the dominant weather system from June to early October, affecting the western section of the country. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or the “winter winds” normally starts during mid-October and ends in mid-February.

Vicente Manalo, acting administrator of PAGASA said the widespread rainfall during the past few days suggest new development in the climate system as the prevailing winds previously blowing from the east was noted to persistently change in south to southwest direction. Although weak at times, it will gradually become stronger.

He said these prominent changes suggest a strong manifestation of the shift from dry season to wet season.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains particularly in the afternoon are anticipated to continue in the days ahead. However, possible break in rain events may occur after several days, Manalo said.

Meanwhile, weak El Niño condition is present in the tropical Pacific and expected to end around month of July while La Niña conditions is favored to follow during the second half of 2016.

Vicente said they will continue to closely monitor the situation and advisories shall be issued as appropriate and the public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season.

For Thursday forecast, southwest monsoon or hanging habagat will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas while artly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

Moderate to occasionally winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southeast to south with slight to moderate seas.

The state weather bureau has not issued gale warning as the fisherfolk are safe to venture into the seas. (PNA) JMC/CLTC