Jul 12, 2024 06:57 PM
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the La Niña alert on Friday, July 12, due to an increased likelihood of La Niña development in the coming months.
PAGASA’s ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) Alert System had been under a La Niña watch since March before being upgraded to a La Niña alert.
According to PAGASA's latest assessment, there is a 70 percent probability that La Niña conditions will develop during the August-September-October 2024 season and may persist into the first quarter of 2025.
On July 9, PAGASA initially projected La Niña conditions to develop by the last quarter of the year but now anticipates its arrival earlier than expected.
The central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP) region is currently experiencing ENSO-neutral conditions, where neither El Niño nor La Niña exists.
Implications
La Niña, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the CEEP region, is expected to influence weather patterns in the Philippines and globally.
PAGASA warned of an increased likelihood of heightened convective activity and tropical cyclone occurrence that may result in above-normal rainfall over some parts of the country in the coming months.
It noted that this could potentially lead to adverse impacts, such as floods and landslides in vulnerable areas, which may vary in severity.
PAGASA advised all concerned government agencies and the general public to stay updated and take necessary precautionary measures to mitigate risks associated with La Niña-related weather events.
