Manila, Philippines - Even after days of grey skies and sudden rains, the onset of the rainy season has yet to officially come, state weathermen said last week.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical,and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the onset of the southwest monsoon season locally called ‘’Habagat’’ will likely commence between the last week of May and the first week of June.
This will be manifested by wide spread rainy condition, particularly on the western side of the country.
It will also be characterized by a noticeable consecutive number of rainy days, and winds from the southwest direction.
Aurelio said there are three requirements to be met for the announcement of the onset of the rainy season.
These are: ‘’Five-day period with three consecutive days of at least one millimeter (mm) of rainfall each day with a total of 25 mm or more;
‘’Five of the 10 Type I stations have satisfied the rainfall criteria, i.e. Metro Manila must at least have two of the three stations met the first criterion; and
‘’Prevailing winds over the western Philippines must have southwesterly component that comes from the West Philippine Sea.’’
Field synaptic stations are located in Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Iba, Zambales; Dagupan City; San Jose, and Ambulong, Occidental Mindoro; Baguio City; Cabanatuan City; and Metro Manila.
The peak of dry season and high air temperatures are still expected in the coming days due to the prevalence of the ridge of high pressure area (HPA), Aurelio added.
As of Sunday last week, the ridge of HPA has extended over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.
The recent La Niña event may still have adverse effect on the rainfall pattern this May and June, with one to two tropical cyclones that will likely develop this May, he added. /MP
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