The beginning of the wet season might be delayed as the ongoing weak El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist until August, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said.
Based on the Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section of the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division of PAGASA, major climate models showed that the El Niño condition in the country will continue through June to August.
Jorybell Masallo, senior weather specialist of CLIMPS, said the onset of the rainy season, which is usually during the second half of May or the first half of June, might be delayed because of the existing El Niño.
El Niño, which was started to be monitored by PAGASA in February this year, is a weather pattern associated with reduced rainfall.
Masallo said generally near normal rainfall conditions will be experienced in most parts of the country except for the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, and some parts of western and Southern Luzon where below normal is expected during the month of May.
In June, generally normal rainfall conditions in Visayas and Mindanao except for most areas in Northern and Central Luzon.
In July, above normal rainfall condition is expected, in most parts of Luzon, while most parts of Visayas and Mindanao are expected to have near normal rainfall conditions.
In August, Northern and Central Luzon will experience below normal rainfall conditions while above normal rainfall conditions are expected to persist in most parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
Due to the low levels of rainfall brought by the El Niño phenomenon, many provinces in the country is currently experiencing dry spell and drought. (Alexandria San Juan)
