By Alec Go
An El Niño alert has been raised by the country’s weather bureau on Tuesday, May 2, amid forecasts that the phenomenon may emerge at 80% probability from June to August and may persist until the first quarter of next year.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said an alert is issued when there is a probability of 70% or more for the development of El Niño.
PAGASA said El Niño or the warm phase of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is “characterized by unusually warmer than average sea surface temperatures at the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.”
With this, below-normal rainfall conditions may persist in some areas of the country, causing dry spells and droughts.
“However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest Monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected,” PAGSA said. – gb
