Phl typhoon-free this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Apart from isolated thunderstorms, the country will be typhoon-free until the weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente said the low-pressure area spotted off Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Wednesday was expected to dissipate last night.

The weather system was located 190 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan as of 10 a.m. yesterday.

“The low-pressure area is no longer expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone,” Paciente said in a telephone interview.

However, it was forecast to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over Southern Quezon until today, Paciente said.

Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms, meanwhile, will persist over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Northern Quezon and the regions of Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, Davao and Caraga, he said.

Fewer cyclones

Paciente said the country is likely to experience fewer but stronger storms this year due to the developing El Niño phenomenon.

“Although the number of cyclones developing over the Pacific Ocean will still be normal, there is a high possibility that these disturbances would recurve northward and would not enter the Philippines,” Paciente said.

He said about three to four cyclones usually visit the country in August. However, only one cyclone (local name Jose) entered the Philippine area of responsibility this month.

El Niño is a weather phenomenon associated with the unusual warming in the Equatorial Pacific. It is usually characterized by below normal rainfall.

“Although there are low-pressure areas that develop within the Philippine area of responsibility, these systems could not intensify into cyclones as they are close to land,” Paciente explained.

Storms usually gather strength while over bodies of water, he added.

Around 19 to 20 cyclones normally enter the country every year. – With Dino Balabo