Weather Today – July 14, 2015 | “Habagat” still enhanced by “Nangka”

The Philippines remains “bagyo-free” as the typhoon with international name Nangka remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It was last spotted at 1,530 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon. Packing winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour, it is expected to move north-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.

At this velocity, the forecast tracks of PAGASA and other weather agencies show that Nangka has a slim chance of entering the boundary. However, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar explains that if ever Nangka enters, it will just stay over the upper right corner of the PAR.

It continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat but compared to the previous days, rains will be oriented mostly over the northern and western areas of Luzon. Monsoon rains will be dumped over the Ilocos Region and Benguet province, bringing hazards of flash floods and landslides. Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan will experience occasional rains, while the rest of the country will have a generally fair weather aside from possible isolated thunderstorms.

As habagat prevails over the PAR, it also affects the sea condition in the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are still not allowed to venture out into the sea as wave height could reach up to 4.5 meters.

Today, monsoon rains and occasional rains are expected to be experienced over Luzon. While monsoon rains brought about by the habagat could last for days or even a week, usually falling in the western section of the country, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier explains that occasional rains occur irregularly, are not that frequent and are patchy in nature.

Meanwhile, last July 2014, a total of four (4) tropical cyclones entered the PAR namely Florita, Glenda, Henry and Inday. Among these, only Glenda made landfall over the country, particularly over Luzon. PAGASA says an average number of 3 to 5 tropical cyclones could enter PAR during the month of July and this year, we already had Egay and Falcon. All are still advised to monitor updates as the possibility of more cyclones is expected in the coming days or weeks.