Warning out on squalls

SAN FERNANDO CITY — Civil defense officials have issued a warning on the possible re-occurrence of squalls — sudden violent gusts of wind often with rain that could trigger waves similar to a tsunami — that could affect the northern, eastern and western seaboards of Luzon.

A squall killed at least a hundred fishermen along the coast of Northern Luzon in January 2003.

Nigel Lontoc, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, told The STAR that a squall could spawn waves as high as 7.5 meters due to the meltdown of icebergs in South China and the sudden combination of hot and cold air from Siberia.

"This (squall) phenomenon is the combination of warm and cold air from Siberia. The hot and cold air will meet in warm air, creating strong winds and big waves. This (weather condition) is expected until February next year," he said. — Jun Elias