By Ma. Cristina Arayata | Philippine News Agency
The weather bureau is expecting a normal onset of the rainy season next week, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Administrator Nathaniel Servando said on Friday.
“Normal onset is probably next week. We expect rains this weekend, but we are closely monitoring the criteria if these were already met,” Servando told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.
Among the indicators prior to the declaration of rainy season include the persistence of low-level southwesterly windflow in the western section of Luzon, and the weakening of the easterly winds.
PAGASA is also considering the rainfall amounts recorded along the western part of the country (Visayas and Luzon).
Servando said Mindanao is not included in such monitoring parameters because Luzon and Visayas are areas classified as Type 1 climate (affected by the southwest monsoon or habagat).
“Mindanao normally is affected by the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and shearline during amihan season,” Servando said.
On Friday afternoon, PAGASA declared the start of the habagat—one of the precursors of the onset of the rainy season.
“As the habagat becomes more dominant, occasional to frequent rains and thunderstorms are expected, particularly over the western sections of the country. This may lead to the possible onset of the rainy season within the next two weeks,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Servando said PAGASA is not expecting the entire month of June to be rainy.
“It is common to observe breaks or sunny days,” he added.
For this weekend, rains will prevail over the western section of Luzon, Servando said.
