Rainy Season Almost Here; ITCZ to Bring Rains Over S. Mindanao

Manila (PNA) — The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains in most parts of Mindanao on Wednesday, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada said the ITCZ is now affecting southern Mindanao.

He said the ITCZ, which is the thick clouds coming from south Asia, is considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones.

Cada said the ITCZ will induce cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over regions of Northern Mindanao, ARMM, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Cada noted the rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have fair weather but isolated thunderstorms are possible mostly in the afternoon or evening.

The convective activity brought about by intense heat triggers the formation of more cumulonimbus clouds or dark clouds associated with thunderstorms that brings rains.

He said with the presence of ITCZ it signals the start of the rainy season.

However, Cada said the ITCZ cannot move upward due to the presence of a ridge of high pressure area.

“Pag ganitong month of June umaangat na yun ITCZ but nandiyan pa rin yung HPA and isa pa hindi pa rin natin nararamdaman yung southwest monsoon o hanging habagat na dominanteng weather system this rainy season,” Cada told PNA.

He said this year’s rainy season is expected to commence by second or third week of June

He added the wind pattern prevailing in country will be light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast and the coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

He said the agency expects the southwesterly wind flow to set in, which is associated with the wet or southwest monsoon season.

Cada noted that the onset of the rainy season is characterized by southwesterly winds.

He said PAGASA have yet to declare the onset of rainy season as there are “conditions” that have to be met.

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 includes the amount of rainfall, which must register a total of 25 millimeters or more, for five consecutive days in five major weather stations.

“Sa ngayon, meron ilan istasyon na nakaka-meet ng criteria,” he noted.

Cada said that the criteria is with the presence of southwest winds and the amount of rainfall in at least five weather bureau stations across the country was reached 25 millimeters in volume in five straight days.

Last year, PAGASA officially declared the start of the wet season on June 10.

Highest temperature in Metro Manila on Tuesday was at 33.8 degrees Celsius recorded around 9:50 a.m. at the Science Garden in Quezon City.

Temperature on Wednesday in Metro Manila will range between 24-35 degrees Celsius while the heat index will be 29-39 degrees Celsius.

The heat index are human discomfort index that gives the “apparent” temperature or what human perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body. High air temperatures and high relative humidity will give high apparent temperatures or indices. Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by 9°C. (PNA) JBP/CLTC