Rainy Christmas season seen due to La Niña – PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — It will be a wet Christmas season this year due to the prevailing La Niña, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Ana Liza Solis, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section chief, said the country has started to experience more rains due to the weather phenomenon.

“Yes, this is part of La Niña,” she said over Teleradyo when asked if the heavy rains experienced in many parts of the country in the past days could be associated with the phenomenon.

She noted that the impact of La Niña is likely to peak between November and December and that based on current conditions, this may last until April next year.

Above normal rainfall is expected to affect Luzon, particularly the eastern section, as well as the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months.

“Cyclones that affect the country during La Niña are stronger in terms of rainfall,” Solis said.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Nika intensified into a storm after exiting the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday. It was forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm before hitting landmass in Hainan, China this afternoon or evening.

The combined effects of Nika and the southwest monsoon will continue to bring light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Camarines provinces, Mindoro provinces and Palawan, including the Kalayaan, Calamian and Cuyo Islands until this morning.

The weather agency advised the public to brace for flooding, including flash floods.

PAGASA also continued to monitor a brewing cyclone east of Mindanao.

The low-pressure area was located 540 km east of Surigao City in Surigao del Norte as of 4 p.m. It was expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours.

The weather system was bringing scattered rainshowers over Dinagat Islands, Surigao provinces and Davao Oriental.

It was forecast to move northwest toward Bicol region-Eastern Visayas area yesterday until Wednesday.