RP warned vs El Niño

An El Niño weather phenomenon might develop late this year or early next year, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned yesterday.

In an advisory, the weather bureau said "slightly warmer sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are expected to prevail for the next one to three months," adding the continuous warming trend could indicate an El Niño in the offing.

Pagasa said a gradual weakening of the southwest wind flow will cause changes in geographical rainfall patterns in the country this month.

Pagasa said above normal rainfall is expected in some areas of Mountain Province, Agusan del Norte and Davao del Norte, while below normal rainfall will hit some areas of southern Mindanao, southern Mindoro and northern Samar. — Helen Flores