Rain showers to continue in most parts of PH due to southwest monsoon

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

Jun 2, 2023 07:42 AM

  

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The southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers in most parts of the country within the next 24-hour period, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

(Unsplash)

In a public weather forecast on Friday, June 2, PAGASA Weather Specialist Patrick Del Mundo said the southwest monsoon is affecting the entire archipelago.

“Sa ngayon ay umiiral ang southwest monsoon o hanging habagat dito sa ating bansa. Ine-enhance pa rin [ito] ng Bagyong Mawar (Right now, the southwest monsoon is affecting our country. It is still being enhanced by cyclone Mawar),” said Del Mundo.

Residents of Occidental Mindoro, Antique, and northern Palawan including Cuyo, Calamian, and Kalayaan Islands were specifically advised to remain alert against monsoon rains which may trigger flash floods or landslides during moderate to at times heavy downpour.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains will also prevail in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, the rest of MIMAROPA, and western Visayas due to habagat.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains due to the southwest monsoon.

No weather disturbance is expected to develop or enter the Philippine boundary within the forecast period.

DOH tells public: Prepare for cyclone ‘Mawar’

 BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

  

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A tropical cyclone with an international name Mawar is being monitored by the country’s weather bureau. Although the weather disturbance is not yet directly affecting the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) advised Filipinos to prepare and report any untoward incident that may be triggered by the cyclone.

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The DOH on Monday, May 22, has issued an advisory listing safety preparations as typhoon Mawar continues to approach the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

First on the DOH’s list is to understand signs of emergency. Apart from paying close attention to weather updates, the department stressed the need for learning the chain of information communication systems in communities in times of hazards.

“Learn, understand, and follow Early Warning Systems (EWS) in the community,” it stressed.

Filipinos were also told to inspect their houses for necessary repairs while cyclone Mawar is not yet directly affecting the archipelago.

“Prepare your home for flooding, fully charge all your electronic gadgets, [and] keep important documents at a higher level,” said DOH.

To avoid injuries and casualties in case flooding occurs, the health department also highlighted the need for creating an evacuation plan.

“Know the locations of multi-storey buildings and pre-arrange with families or friends living in the higher grounds for evacuation in case of flooding. Know the important emergency contact numbers, [and] get everyone in your family a whistle,” it furthered.

Last on the DOH’s list is to prepare a Go Bag – a kit containing emergency essentials. Essentials, according to DOH,  include ready to eat food and water, clothes, first aid kit, sleeping bags, flash lights, batteries, toiletries, cash, as well as Covid-19 protection kit.

“Ensure that the Go Bag is easily accessible to everyone. Should there be an emergency, do not hesitate to contact your local disaster and emergency risk team for assistance,” DOH concluded.

The state weather bureau on Monday said typhoon Mawar is expected to enter PAR on Friday, May 26. It will then be given the domestic name Betty.

Rainy season may start end of May or early June — PAGASA

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

May 20, 2023 10:24 AM

  

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday, May 20, said the rainy season is near.

(Jansen Romero / Manila Bulletin File Photo)

PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja, in a public weather forecast on Saturday, said the rainy season may be declared at the end of May or early June.

“Sa mga nagtatanong kung posible na bang magsimula ang tag-ulan anytime, ang sagot po natin d’yan ay posible itong magsimula sometime sa mga huling araw ng Mayo – maaaring later next week – hanggang sa mga unang araw ng Hunyo (To those who are asking if it is possible for the rainy season to start anytime, our answer is that it is possible to start sometime in the last days of May – maybe later next week – until the first days of June),” said Estareja.

The onset of the rainy season will be declared once PAGASA’s criteria are observed and satisfied. These include the following: at least seven stations or 50 percent of monitoring stations must record a five-day period with a total rainfall of 25 mm or more and at least one mm rainfall for three consecutive days. In addition, prevailing winds should have westerly components over the western Philippines as this relates to the development of rainfall-causing weather patterns according to the state weather bureau.

Prevailing weather systems

Estareja, in the same weather forecast, said they are currently monitoring two weather systems. One of these two is the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) causing cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, and Palawan.

The other weather system is a tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). It was last spotted 2,510 kilometers (km) east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of 55 kph.

According to Estareja, if the weather disturbance continues to move northwestward, it may enter PAR by Friday or Saturday next week. It will be given the domestic name Betty.

“If this track continues, the odds are low that it will hit the Philippine landmass. But what we should monitor is the enhancement of the southwest monsoon next week,” he added in a mix of English and Filipino.

Free internet connectivity in 94 PH tourism areas eyed

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

May 16, 2023 08:48 PM

  

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As part of the national government’s goal to make the Philippines a “tourism hub,” the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will provide free internet services in 94 major tourism areas in the country facing connectivity issues.

(MB Visual Content Group)

Working hand in hand with the Department of Tourism (DOT), DICT said some of the hindrances in promoting the country as a primary tourist destination are caused by issues on digitalization and connectivity.

“[Tourism] Secretary Frasco provided us initially with a list of 94 tourist destinations [with] connectivity challenges,” said DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy in a palace briefing on Tuesday, May 16.

This list will be the blueprint for the joint free Wi-Fi project. Uy, however, clarified that under the first phase of the said initiative, only 46 major tourism sites will initially be covered. These areas are mainly localities within the following provinces: Benguet, Palawan, Aklan, and Cebu.

The establishment of free Wi-Fi hotspots, according to Uy, would ensure that tourists will be able to grasp a “complete experience” while enjoying the Philippine tourism sites.

“Many of the tourists now are also vloggers. They vlog about their experiences while they are there experiencing or enjoying the tourism sites so it’s critical that we provide them with internet connectivity,” Uy added.

Dangerous heat index observed in 14 PH areas

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

  

Fourteen areas in the Philippines sizzled with a dangerous heat index on Saturday, May 13, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) disclosed.

Public warned against heat stroke as heat index hits searing 41°c in Dagupan'

The humid weather condition prevails across the archipelago following the onset of warm and dry season in March. Amid this, several areas in the country continue to experience dangerous heat.

PAGASA on Saturday said 14 areas logged a dangerous heat index. These areas are the following: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (45°C); CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (42°C); Cotabato City, Maguindanao (42°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Davao City, Davao del Sur (43°C); Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (46°C); Iba, Zambales (42°C); Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental (42°C); Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (43°C); Maasin, Southern Leyte (42°C); NAIA Pasay City, Metro Manila (42°C); Roxas City, Capiz (42°C); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (42°C); and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (45°C).

Heat index refers to the apparent heat that humans perceive. The state weather bureau explained that heat indices between 42°C and 51°C are on the “dangerous” threshold as these could cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke with continued sun exposure.

Warm, humid weather in most parts of PH on Saturday — PAGASA

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

May 13, 2023 10:52 AM

  

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Warm and humid weather conditions will still prevail in most parts of the Philippines on Saturday, May 13, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

(MB Visual Content Group)

Filipinos throughout the archipelago may expect generally fair weather in the morning but warm and humid conditions in the afternoon. According to the state weather bureau, the occurrence of isolated rains is not ruled out, especially in the afternoon or evening, due to localized thunderstorms.

“[Ang mainit na panahon ay] sasamahan ng saglit na pagulan or localized thunderstorms dulot ng mainit na panahon at mataas na moisture content sa atmosphere (This warm weather will be accompanied by brief rains or localized thunderstorms caused by humid weather and high moisture content in the atmosphere),” said PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja in a public weather forecast.

Estareja said heat indices could still exceed 40°C on Saturday, specifically in the provinces of Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos, Palawan, and Albay.

Meanwhile, the intertropical convergence zone – a weather system that forms when winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge – is affecting southern Mindanao. No weather disturbance or tropical cyclone is expected to develop or enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the next 24-hour period.

Magnitude 5.5 quake hits Occidental Mindoro

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

Apr 29, 2023 00:53 AM

  

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State seismologists on Saturday, April 29, said an earthquake with a magnitude measuring 5.5 jolted Occidental Mindoro.

(Phivolcs)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the seismic event was traced 16 kilometers (km) northwest of Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro. It was tectonic in origin and it occurred at 12:00 a.m.

Phivolcs’ initial bulletin showed that the following instrumental intensities were recorded: Intensity IV in Puerto Galera and Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Intensity III in Lemery and Calatagan, Batangas; San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Magallanes and Tagaytay City, Cavite; as well as Las Piñas City.

Instrumental Intensity II was also reported in Abucay, Bataan; Cuenca, San Luis, Bauan, Laurel, Batangas City, and Sta. Teresita in Batangas; Marilao, Malolos City, Guiguinto, Calumpit, and Pulilan in Bulacan; Tagaytay City and Ternate in Cavite; Muntinlupa City; Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; and Victoria, Oriental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs said Instrumental Intensity I was felt in Dinalupihan, Bataan; Talisay and Lipa in Batangas; Norzagaray and Obando, Bulacan; San Juan City, Pasay, Malabon, Pateros in Metro Manila; Parañawur City; Guagua, Pampanga; Gumaca, Dolores in Quezon; Cardona, Angono, and Taytay in Rizal, Marabut, Samar; and San Antonio, Cabagan, and Olongapo in Zambales.

Phivolcs said this seismic event may trigger aftershocks.

Hottest so far in 2023: Heat index hits 48°C in Agusan Del Norte

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

Apr 21, 2023 07:17 PM

  

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A sizzling 48°C heat index was recorded in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte on Friday, April 21, marking the country’s highest heat index so far in 2023.

(Unsplash)

Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte on Friday recorded a heat index of 48°C, surpassing the previously-announced all-time high of 47°C in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on March 25.

The scorching heat was also felt in various parts of the country. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its latest bulletin, bared that 13 Philippine areas have also recorded a “dangerous” heat index on Friday.

These areas include Baler, Aurora (43°C); Catarman, Northern Samar (44°C); CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (42°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Davao City, Davao Del Sur (42°C); Iba Zambales (43°C); Legazpi, Albay (47°C); Maasin, Southern Leyte (42°C); Masbate City, Masbate (42°C), NAIA Pasay City, Metro Manila (43°C), Tacloban City, Leyte (42°C); Tayabas City, Quezon (42°C); and Virac, Catanduanes (44°C).

Heat index or human discomfort index pertains to the apparent heat that humans perceive. PAGASA earlier explained that a heat index between 42°C and 51°C is considered “dangerous” as it could cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion, adding that continued exposure to the sun at this rate could cause heat stroke.

Filipinos were strongly advised to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat and refrain from doing exhausting activities during the hottest time of the day. According to the state weather bureau, drinking plenty of water may also prevent heat-related illnesses.

The country marked the onset of its warm and dry season on March 21.

PAGASA: Trough of LPA to dump rains in Mindanao

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

Apr 3, 2023 09:41 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Residents of Mindanao may experience a rainy Monday due to the trough of a low pressure area spotted outside the country's area of responsibility.

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The trough or extension of a low pressure area (LPA) spotted outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is bringing cloudy skies with scattered rain showers in Mindanao, said the state weather bureau on Monday morning, April 3.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Specialist Obet Badrina said the weather disturbance was last spotted 474 kilometers (km) east southeast of General Santos City outside PAR.

“Maliit pa rin ang tiyansa na maging bagyo [itong] LPA pero magpapaulan ito sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao (There is still a little chance that this LPA will become a tropical cyclone, but it will bring rains to most parts of Mindanao),” said Badrina in a public weather forecast.

Filipinos residing in Mindanao were told to be vigilant against possible flash floods and rain-induced landslides that may be triggered by the trough of LPA.

Meanwhile, in the next 24-hour period, a fair but humid weather condition will still prevail in Luzon and Visayas, but Badrina stressed that isolated rain showers may still occur due to the prevalence of localized thunderstorms.

 

Easterlies to trigger rains in parts of VisMin — PAGASA

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

Apr 2, 2023 11:27 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Photo courtesy of PAGASA / Himawari

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The easterlies or the warm and humid winds from the Pacific Ocean will continue to trigger rain showers and thunderstorms in parts of Visayas and Mindanao, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, April 2.

PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja, in a public weather forecast, said the weather system is particularly bringing cloudy skies with scattered rain showers in Palawan, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Patuloy pa rin ang epekto ng easterlies at ito pa rin ang magdadala ng maulang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao at mga kalapit na lugar (The effects of the easterlies will persist and it will continue to bring rainy weather in most parts of Mindanao and nearby areas),” said Estareja on Sunday.

A fair and humid weather condition will continue to prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country due to the easterlies, but Estareja stressed that the occurrence of localized thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening is not ruled out.

Based on the state weather bureau’s satellite animation, no tropical cyclone is expected to develop or enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) within the Holy Week. 

First in Southeast Asia: DICT welcomes Musk’s Starlink to PH

Published February 24, 2023, 10:56 AM

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, MB

Billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink operated by SpaceX is now in the Philippines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed on Friday, Feb. 24, calling it a “game changer” in terms of enabling better internet connectivity, especially in remote areas. 

Ahead of the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s confirmation, SpaceX, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, announced the availability of Starlink’s services in the Philippines (Photo courtesy of SpaceX / Twitter)

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy welcomed this development, stressing that Starlink will “complement” existing broadband capacities in the country, raising the chances of improving internet access across the nation. 

“In welcoming this new technology that is Starlink, our BroadBand ng Masa can now provide free high-speed internet access to our geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Philippines, ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind,” said Uy in an official statement on Friday.  

Broadband ng Masa is the ongoing project of DICT which seeks to ensure that all Filipinos have access to “efficient and effective” information and communications technology services in hopes of eradicating the so-called digital divide. 

As of writing, Starlink has 3,580 operational sites, but according to the DICT, it is aiming to establish around 40,000 satellites in order to fulfill its goal of providing “high-speed” and “low-cost” internet. 

The Philippines was the first country in Southeast Asia to offer Starlink’s internet services.

 

LPA seen to cross eastern part of PH landmass, trigger more rains in next 3 days — PAGASA

Published February 18, 2023, 10:03 AM

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

The low pressure area (LPA) spotted near Mindanao remains less likely to develop into a tropical cyclone, but the state weather bureau’s latest forecast scenario showed that the weather disturbance will cross the eastern section of the Philippine landmass and trigger more rains in the next three days.

PAGASA’s Tropical Cyclone Threat Potential forecast showing the LPA’s low likelihood of cylone development. (Screengrab / PAGASA YouTube)

Last seen 285 kilometers east southeast of Davao City, the LPA continues to dump rains over Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, northern Mindanao, Bicol Region, Romblon, Marinduque, and Quezon. 

“[On Saturday, Feb. 18], the LPA will be closest to Caraga Region and eastern Visayas. By [Sunday, Feb. 19] it is expected to be in the Bicol Region, while on [Monday, Feb. 20] it will be in the eastern section of northern or central Luzon, and by that time another surge of the northeast monsoon will begin,” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Specialist Benison Estareja in Filipino on Saturday, Feb. 18.

By Tuesday, Feb. 21 PAGASA expects the weather disturbance to dissipate while crossing the northern Luzon area.

Along with the LPA, the northeast monsoon, also called “amihan,” will bring light rains and cold winds in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. The lowest air temperature recorded on Saturday was logged in Baguio City: 13.0°C at 4:50 a.m.

Due to the strong to gale force winds associated with the northeast monsoon, a gale warning remained hoisted in the eastern seaboards of southern Luzon and Visayas and the northern and eastern Seaboards of Mindanao; the central and western seaboards of Visayas; the western and southern seaboards of southern Luzon; as well as the seaboards of northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of central Luzon.

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