Afternoon downpour not signal for rainy season - PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — The occurrence of afternoon rains is not an indication that rainy season is coming, the state weather bureau said.

Fernando Cada, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), explained that afternoon or early evening downpour during the past weeks are due to high temperature readings this season.

"Dahil napakainit ng ating temperatura maghapon, mas mataas ang tyansa talaga na magkaroon ng development ng clouds sa hapon," Cada said in an ABS-CBN interview on Sunday.

"Kasi yung rate of evaporation mas nai-enhance dahil napakainit ang panahon," he explained.

The rainy season is likely to begin by the first week of July this year, as warm and humid weather is expected to continue until June.

In a weather advisory on Monday, PAGASA said that isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms are expected to affect Metro Manila and the rest of the country mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Stronger storms

Cada also warned that the expected dry spell may cause more intense weather events throughout the year, although fewer cyclones may enter the country's area of responsibility.

"'Pag El Niño mas malakas ang mga bagyo, yung typhoon category mas marami, pero yung track niya hindi tumatama sa kalupaan," he said.

Several provinces, particularly those in the Visayas, have yet to recover from the devastation brought about by super typhoon Yolanda.

The weather agency earlier explained that an El Niño episode will not prevent cyclones from forming as the heat may make make them stronger.

The government, however, is urged to place emergency water supply programs for the farming sector, which will be most affected by the dry spell.

On Monday, PAGASA said that Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms due to an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

ITCZ, also known as doldrums, affect the weather when trade winds from the northeast and the southeast meet.

Northern Luzon, meanwhile, will experience light to moderate winds blowing from the southeast.

It is also the perfect day for sailing as coastal waters will be moderate throughout the archipelago. - Camille Diola