Weather Today – March 12, 2015 | Parts of Luzon to experience rains

A tropical cyclone was spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza said it is still too far to affect the country so continuous monitoring will be done by the weather bureau.

The northeast monsoon or amihan prevails over Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and the provinces of Aurora and Samar. Metro Manila and the rest of the country can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

As amihan blows over the PAR, it continues to affect the sea condition. Gale warning is up over the eastern seaboard sof Luzon and Visayas, which includes Isabela, the eastern coasts of Cagayan, Aurora, Camarines Provinces, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon, Polilio Island, Samar and Leyte. Waves with height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters are expected.

Cloudy weather was experienced in some parts of the country yesterday. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez explained that the cloudiness brought by amihan has extended over Northern, Central and Southern Luzon. Due to the cloudy skies and rain showers, cooler weather was felt resulting to lower temperatures. Yesterday, the maximum temperature in Quezon City only reached 26.9 degrees Celsius, much lower than the previous days.

Weak El Niño to affect PH

In a press conference held yesterday at the Science Garden, Quezon City, PAGASA confirms an on-going weak El Niño, which is characterized by the unusual warming of the ocean in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.

Aside from the below-normal rainfall, warmer air temperatures in the Philippines are also expected in the coming months. The number of tropical cyclone is less likely to be affected but El Niño can influence the cyclones’ movement and intensity. According to PAGASA, cyclones may be stronger, but with a greater chance of re-curving northward. All are advised to monitor updates and further development.