At least one cyclone to enter Philippines before Christmas

MANILA, Philippines — At least one more tropical cyclone is expected to enter the country before Christmas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Ana Solis, chief of PAGASA’s climate monitoring and prediction section, said that one or two tropical cyclones may enter the Philippine area of responsibility before yearend.

Solis said only 10 tropical cyclones entered PAR this year, which is lower than the yearly average of 20 cyclones.

She attributed this year’s fewer number of cyclones to the ongoing El Niño, a weather phenomenon characterized by unusually warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.

El Niño, which is forecast to reach its peak between November and January, causes an increased likelihood of below normal rainfall or drier than usual condition.

Solis said some tropical cyclones that developed in the Pacific did not enter PAR.

El Niño is forecast to persist until the second quarter of next year and may end between April and June.

PAGASA said the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. It is bringing light rains over parts of Batanes as well as Ilocos region, the Cordilleras and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience isolated rain due to easterlies and localized thundaerstorms.