BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday announced the start of the warm and dry season in the country following the end of the monsoon or amihan season.
The state weather bureau said the warm and dry season is expected to last until May.
In an interview with Iloilo Pagasa Complex weather observer Jan Baron, he said following the end of La Niña due to the lower-than-normal air pressure in the western Pacific, the Philippines is also preparing for a possible El Niño phenomenon.
El Niño phenomenon is the abnormal warming of the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and lower than normal rainfall.
In the past few days, Iloilo experienced high temperatures, especially during noontime.
“Since last week, ang pinakataas nga temperature nga nakuha naton was 32.8 degrees Celsius,” said Baron.
He added we are not yet in the El Niño season but in the transition period. El Niño is expected to be experienced in July.
“Most likely nga magka-El Niño kita is July pa since ang aton nga probability ara sa 55 percent. So in the next months, mataas na ang probability,” said Baron.
The weather observer advised the public to stay hydrated, wear comfortable clothes, and bring an umbrella to be protected from the heat.
Pagasa added the country may experience a below normal amount of rainfall by August or September./PN
