As we enjoy the long weekend, it’s always better to be weather-ready! On the last day of April, the extension of a Frontal System continues to affect Northern and Central Luzon. In an interview with Panahon TV this morning, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Lori dela Cruz defined the Frontal System as the boundary of two different air masses.
“Malaki po ‘yung pagkakaiba ng hangin, sa density at lalo na sa temperature. Kapag nakakaapekto ang specific weather system na ito sa isang area, maaari itong makapag-generate ng makakapal na ulap na magdadala ng thunderstorms.”, dela Cruz explained. (There’s a huge difference between the air masses, mostly in terms of temperatures. Once this weather system becomes dominant in an area, it will generate convective clouds which will bring thunderstorms.)
Meanwhile, the Easterlies or warm and humid winds prevail over the eastern section of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. In the next hours, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Cagayan Valley and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have generally fair weather apart from the isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.
#TagInitFeels: Temperatures continue to soar
A scorching Saturday was felt yesterday in several areas. Here are some of the highest temperatures recorded by the weather bureau:
38.9 °C – Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
35.2 °C – Catbalogan, Western Samar
35.0 °C – Ambulong, Batangas; Sangley Point, Cavite
34.8 °C – Cotabato City
34.0 °C – Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Today, PAGASA reminds the public to prepare for sweltering heat indices in the key cities of the country. Heat index, also known as human discomfort index, determines how your body perceives the temperature.
Metro Manila – 39. 7 °C
Metro Cebu – 37.2 °C
Metro Davao – 37.2 °C
With the Hot and Dry season just around the corner, it’s important to remember that in hot and humid conditions, we tend to get dehydrated. Though constant hydration is needed, its source still needs to be healthy.
Aside from water, natural fruit juices that are rich in vitamins and fiber can also be a healthy way to quench your thirst. But instead of buying them in juice stands, you can make your own. This way, you can hold off the sugar!
Mint Lemonade
From detoxification and boosting the immune system to skin care, lemons have been recognized for their endless health benefits. On the other hand, mint serves as a natural breath freshener while relieving indigestion. This healthy drink is super easy to prepare so you can go from thirsty to satisfied in just minutes.
Procedure:
Combine 2 sliced lemons and 1 cup of fresh mint leaves with 4 cups of cold water. Let it chill for about 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
Ginger Fizz
This is a popular South Indian drink perfect for those hot summer days. Ginger is well known for assisting the digestive system and its anti-inflammatory properties. Dayap, rich in Vitamin C, is an immunity booster.
Procedure:
Combine ginger with dayap in a jar. Seal with lid and place in sunshine for 2 days. Boil for five minutes. Cool and strain. Place 1 Tbsp. ginger juice in glass add the juice from one lemon then, sweeten with honey. Top with ice cubes!
Pandan Iced Tea
The use of the pandan leaf isn’t limited to cooking; it also has medicinal benefits such as healing wounds and relieving cough. Its fragrant aroma is perfect for a refreshing drink!
Procedure:
In 8 cups of water, add 5 pieces of pandan leaves. Boil for 3-5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey. Leave it to cool, then serve in a glass with ice!
Cucumber Orange Water
Cucumber is a cooling agent that hydrates the skin, increases metabolism, and provides our body with vitamins and nutrients. Citrus fruits are also good for the skin and the liver!
Procedure:
Combine 3 sliced oranges and sliced cucumbers with 6 cups of cold water. Let it chill for about 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
There are plenty of reasons to stay hydrated. Flavoring water with fresh fruit slices and herbs is an easy and healthy way to beat tag-init!
Tropical Depression “Dante” left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) without hitting any of the country’s landmass.
At 4:00 AM today, the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 1,450 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 60 kph, moving northeast at 20 kph.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, the High Pressure Area (HPA) affected the direction of the weather disturbance.
Today, the extension of a Fontal System is affecting extreme Northern Luzon. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will prevail in the province of Batanes and the Islands of Calayan and Babuyan. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be experienced in Metro Manila and the rest of the country mostly in the afternoon or evening.
A tropical depression is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the day.
As of 11:00 AM, the weather disturbance was estimated at 1,300 kilometers east of Visayas. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 65 kph. It is moving at a west-northeast direction at a speed of 11 kph.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Sheilla Reyes, she said that the tropical depression has no direct effect on the country as of now. It is expected to enter PAR within the day and will be given the local name “Dante.” The tropical depression is likely to recurve and not hit the country’s landmass, but the public is still advised to continue monitoring updates.
Today, the whole country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, or generally fair weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Along with rising temperatures is the increase in electrical loads. To cope with the extreme heat, many people tend to use appliances throughout a longer period, leading to high electricity consumption.
Last year, Luzon reached a record-breaking high at 9,726 megawatts (MW) in May. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), this was 9% higher than the 2015 peak demand of 8,928 MW.
Meanwhile, the highest demand in Visayas crawled up to 1,878 MW on May 11, 2016. This was 6% higher than the 2015 peak demand. The high demand was also seen in Mindanao, where a 5% increase in demand was observed.
This kind of high demand, not only leaves a bigger carbon footprint and uses up non-renewable energy, but also translates to high electricity bills. To save on costs and help care for the environment, here are some tips to lesson your electricity consumption.
LIGHTS
– Always clean the fluorescent tube. The dirt or dust on your bulbs or fluorescent tubes can reduce illumination by 50%.
– DOE recommends using energy-efficient lamps like LED.LED or Light Emitting Diodes last up to 10 times longer than other types of bulbs, which helps you save money on replacement costs. These bulbs do not cause heat build-up in a room, also reducing air conditioning costs at your home.
– Another way to save energy is to use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs are miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. These are four times more efficient because they use 50 to 80% less energy than incandescent.
– If you notice that the bulb is already dimming, immediately change the tube or starter.
– Turn offthe light when not in use.
IRONING AND WASHING CLOTHES
– Use the right type of washing machine.According to Greenpeace Philippines, choose the ones with the energy label EU A+/A/A label as thisguarantees the best energy efficiency and washing results. A high-efficiency model with a power consumption of less than 0.9 kilowatts per hour washing cycle is also recommended.
– Limit the number of clothes per wash; avoid overloading or under loading your washing machine. As much as possible, load the washing machine according to its capacity. Washing one large load will take less energy but this will compromise your clothes’ cleanliness.
– Iron clothes in the morning when it’s brighter and slightly cooler. This way, you can save energy because you no longer have to turn the lights on or use the aircon while ironing.
– Thicker and heavier clothes must go first before the lighter ones. Iron the denims first because with these, you have to set the iron to the highest or maximum heat. You may then set the iron knob to low heat and proceed to the lightest clothes, made of fabrics or synthetic materials that need less heat.
COOKING
– Consider the size of the pan. Preparing smaller meal calls for smaller pans. Using the right size will also help you cook faster and more evenly.
– Matching the burner and pot size can help reduce heat loss and maximize energy efficient cooking.
– Cover your pans as you cook as this makes the food cook faster while keeping the kitchen cooler.
– If the ingredients are chilled or frozen, thaw or defrost them first before cooking.
ELECTRIC FAN AND AIRCON
– Look for the high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) label when buying an air conditioner. EER indicates the cooling efficiency of the unit.
– Inspect, clean or change your fan and air filter regularly.
– Choose the right temperature for the room size.
– Ensure all windows and doors are closed when using the air con.
GADGETS AND OTHER APPLIANCES
– Avoid putting the gadget on standby because this still consumes energy.
– Unplug the appliances when not in use or when fully charged.
– As much as possible, limit the use of computers and televisions. Find alternative ways to be entertained.
Tag-init is the perfect chance to have fun under the sun. Going outdoors for a swim, to exercise or enjoy a picnic can also help you keep the energy consumption at a minimum. Saving energy during this season may be challenging but by following these simple tips, keeping your energy consumption at a lower level can help give your pocket a break!
A new weather disturbance is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week.
According to PAGASA, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) previously spotted outside PAR has developed into a tropical depression. As of 10 AM, it was located 1,540 kilometers east of Mindanao. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of 60 kph, slowly moving at a west-northwest direction.
According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Loriedin dela Cruz, the LPA can possibly enter PAR within 24 hours. If this happens, the tropical depression will be given the local name “Dante,” this month’s second tropical cyclone.
Today, Easterlies or warm and humid air from the Pacific Ocean prevail in the eastern sections of the country. This weather system will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies or generally fair weather in the entire archipelago except for isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Humid weather is still expected to prevail.
A scorching Saturday was experienced yesterday. Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija took the top spot on the list of areas with the highest temperatures.
Today is favorable for outdoor activities as generally fair weather continues. The Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) prevails in Luzon, while the Easterlies affect the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao. Warm and humid weather will continue but isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are still possible in the afternoon or evening.
Meanwhile, a new weather disturbance was spotted at 1,945 kilometers east of Mindanao. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, it may develop into a tropical cyclone and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday. The public is advised to monitor updates.
Question of the Day
The featured question of the day is from Manuel Pajarillo, who asked “Ano po ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit tumitindi ang init ng araw kapag ganitong season?” (What makes the weather much warmer during this season?)
Mendoza said there are some factors that create warm weather. “’Yung matinding init ng araw kapag ganitong season dahil ang ating planeta ay naka-tilt ng 23.4 degrees at kapag ganitong panahon ay nakatutok ang ating araw sa Northern Hemisphere, kung saan andoon ang Pilipinas, kaya nararamdaman natin ang mainit na panahon na maaaring magtagal hanggang Mayo.” (During this season, our planet is tilted at a 23.4 degree-angle. This orientation leads the sun rays directly to the Northern Hemisphere, where the Philippines is located, causing temperatures to rise that could last until May.)
Do you have weather-related questions? Send your inquiries now and get a chance to be featured on our show!
The Hot and Dy Season continues to draw travelers to the country’s world famous beaches and attractions. If you’re planning to hit the beach today, the weather will be in your favor!
According to PAGASA, the Ridge of a High Pressure Area (HPA) extends across Luzon and Visayas, while Easterlies prevail in the eastern section of Mindanao. “Ridge” refers to the extended part of a High Pressure Area or an anticyclone. When this weather system prevails, formation of clouds is usually suppressed, producing less chance of rains. Meanwhile, Easterlies are warm and humid winds coming from the Pacific Ocean. However, since warm air or heat is a major factor for cloud formation, Easterlies can also generate isolated thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.
The entire country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, or generally fair weather except for isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the latter part of the day.
Humid weather is still expected today. The highest temperature can reach up to 36 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao.
Whether you’re planning to catch a Friday night out or looking forward to going home after work, PAGASA weather forecaster Cris Perez advises all residents especially in Metro Manila to bring umbrellas because isolated rain showers and thunderstorms are still possible in the latter part of the day.
The LPA monitored yesterday has already dissipated. All seaboards are now safe for travel.
The Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) affects Luzon and Visayas, while the Easterlies dominate the eastern section of Mindanao. Both will bring generally fair weather, only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.