Ni Ellalyn V. Ruiz
Above normal rainfall conditions will persist across most parts of Visayas and Mindanao, including Southern Tagalog and Bicol, due to the prevailing La Niña phenomenon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
PAGASA defines above normal rainfall as 120 percent greater than the normal condition.
Meanwhile, near normal rainfall condition will prevail over the eastern section of Luzon. It is defined as 20 percent higher or lower than the normal condition, PAGASA said.
Last December, the weak La Niña helped spawn destructive tropical cyclones, namely tropical depressions “Urduja” (“Kai-tak”) and “Vinta” (“Tembin”) that battered Mindanao and parts of Visayas and Luzon.
The country will continue to experience higher chance of strong convective activity and tropical cyclone occurrence that may bring much rainfall in the first quarter of 2018, PAGASA said.
This month, PAGASA expects one or two tropical cyclones that may affect the country. So far, one has entered the country – tropical depression “Agaton” last Jan. 1.
Other weather systems that may prevail this month are low pressure areas, easterly winds, the intertropical convergence zone, and the tail-end of a cold front.
These rain-bearing systems could also enhance the impact of La Niña to the country, the weather bureau said.
Citing climate models, PAGASA said the prevailing La Niña will be likely short-lived – at least until early this year.
The northeast monsoon or “amihan” will continue to bring cold weather across the country this month, PAGASA said.
