‘Nanmadol’ intensifies into a typhoon; ‘Habagat’ affects most of PH

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin

The weather disturbance outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a typhoon, the state weather bureau confirmed on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 15.

Typhoon Nanmadol was last spotted 1,655 kilometers (km) east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon outside PAR with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph), and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It is moving northeastward at 15 kph and it remains less likely to directly affect the country. However, PAGASA warned that this weather disturbance is expected to further enhance the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat.”

(PAGASA / Himawari)

The typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon will then bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Palawan, Mindoro provinces, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi within the forecast period.

Residents of these areas were advised to remain vigilant against possible flash floods and landslides that may occur during moderate to heavy rains.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers may prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country due to the southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the latest forecast track for typhoon Nanmadol showed that the cyclone will still enter the Philippine boundary.

“Posible pa rin itong pumasok ng PAR bukas, ngunit ito ay [inaasahang] dadaplis lamang dito sa northeastern na kanto ng ating PAR. Pagpasok nito bukas ng umaga ay lalabas [din ito] either hapon o gabi (It may still enter PAR tomorrow, but it is expected to just pass in the northeastern corner of the country’s area of responsibility. When it enters tomorrow morning, it will also exit the Philippine boundary either in the afternoon or evening),” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Raymond Ordinadio.

“Halos isang araw lang itong mananatili sa ating area of responsibility kaya wala itong magiging direktang epekto sa anumang bahagi ng bansa (It will only stay in our area of responsibility for almost one day so it will not have a direct effect on any part of the country),” he furthered.

Nanmadol will be given the domestic name Josie once inside the Philippine boundary.

Hot Temperature in Cebu City

Blame high pressure area, weak habagat - PAGASA

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

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Weather Specialist Jhomer Eclarino of the Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division for Visayas said the HPA and the weakening of the rain-producing habagat or southwest monsoon caused temperatures to soar. Philstar.com/File

CEBU, Philippines - Are you wondering why the weather in Metro Cebu is hot when it is supposed to be rainy season? Blame a High Pressure Area that is currently prevailing in the region.

Weather Specialist Jhomer Eclarino of the Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division for Visayas said the HPA and the weakening of the rain-producing habagat or southwest monsoon caused temperatures to soar.

In fact, Cebu actually registered last August 6 an air temperature of 33.9 degrees Celsius, which was the highest recorded so far this month.

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Eclarino said the temperature’s equivalent heat index, or how it is apparently felt by the human body, was at 39 degrees Celsius, which exceeds the average normal body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.

He said that based on their recent weather monitoring, the “ridge of a High Pressure Area,”  or an extension of a high pressure area characterized by very light winds and clear skies, is over the Visayas region, including Cebu.

An HPA, which is commonly associated as good weather, is the opposite of a Low Pressure Area, which is characterized by cloudiness and rain showers. It is considered as “breaks” from the monsoon events.

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He said the southwest monsoon has weakened as it enhances its strength only when there is the presence of a weather disturbance like LPAs or tropical cyclones, not HPAs.

With people experiencing warm weather, he warned against heat allergies or illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke that is possible on prolonged sun exposure or continuing outdoor activity.

Eclarino advised the public to stay indoors as much as possible, especially if it is not necessary for them to go outdoors. They are also asked to wear light-colored clothing since light colors reflect the sun's energy.

He also advised drinking plenty of water at a regular basis, as the body needs it to keep itself cool. Alcohol, he said, should be avoided as it may dehydrate the body.

Eclarino also advised that the people should regularly monitor weather advisories as significant changes may abruptly occur. (FREEMAN)