Southwest monsoon to induce thunderstorms, big waves

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau yesterday warned fishermen in the western section of Luzon against venturing out to sea due to big waves generated by the southwest monsoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Mindoro Occidental and the western coast of Batangas will experience rough to very rough seas with wave heights expected between 3.4 and 4.5 meters.

Strong to gale-force winds associated with the southwest monsoon may affect the western seaboard of Luzon. “Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” PAGASA said.

The southwest monsoon or hanging habagat will also continue to bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon based on PAGASA’s 24-hour weather forecast.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

PAGASA also said there was no weather disturbance spotted within the Philippine area of responsibility as of yesterday noon.

PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong, however, said the weather bureau is monitoring a potential low-pressure area outside the Philippine area of responsibility but “it is still far away” to affect the country.

Using color-coded rainfall warning

PAGASA also advised the public, specifically local government executives, to effectively use the agency’s color-coded rainfall warning by taking note of the color not the amount.

Esperanza Cayanan, head of PAGASA’s Regional Services Division, said the yellow advisory urges the public to “be aware” of the weather condition and indicates that flooding may be possible in low-lying areas. Rainfall amount is expected between 7.5 and 15 millimeters within one hour.

But under an orange alert, Cayanan said, the public should “be prepared” as “flooding is a definite threat in communities.” PAGASA raises an orange alert in areas where rainfall is between 15 mm and 30 mm within one hour.

A red advisory, on the other hand, urges public to “take action.” PAGASA issues a red alert when downpour constitutes an emergency or when observed rainfall is more than 30 mm within one hour and has continued for the past three hours.

PAGASA piloted the color-coded rainfall warning system in Metro Manila last year to address the perennial flood problems besetting the metropolis. These warnings are given a color depending on a combination of both the likelihood of the event happening and the impact the conditions may have.

PAGASA has also started using the system in issuing rainfall warnings for Cavite, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga and Tarlac.