Ridge of high pressure area, easterlies affecting PH – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

GENERALLY-fair weather is expected over the next 24 hours across the country due to the ridge of the high pressure area (HPA) and easterlies which both bring hot temperatures and warm, humid conditions, the state-run-weather agency said on Wednesday.

Weather forecaster Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) stressed that there is no summer but only a warm-dry season in the country.

Filipinos are used to saying it is the summer season during the months of March, April and May since these are the hottest months in the Philippines.

But state meteorologists would always refer to this period as the dry season.

Estareja said the ridge of HPA, which is in the north Pacific Ocean, is now extending over Northern and Central Luzon.

Pagasa said the ridge refers to the extended part of an HPA or an anticyclone.

"An opposite of the low pressure area, HPA indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings. Formation of clouds is usually suppressed, thus, less chance of rains," the state weather bureau said.

Meanwhile, the easterlies -- winds coming from the east, passing through the Pacific Ocean, bringing warm and humid weather to the country – and localized thunderstorms are bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Now that the country is in the warm-dry season, isolated rain showers and thunderstorms can still be expected, especially during late afternoon and at night, according to Estareja.