Humid weather to continue as fewer typhoons entered Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The country will continue to experience hot and humid weather this month as fewer typhoons have entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this year, state meteorologists said yesterday.

An average of 20 typhoons enter PAR every year. But for this year, only 10 typhoons entered the Philippines.

Obet Badrina, weather specialist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said many areas in the country have not experienced rain this year.

“The hot and humid weather will continue as we have not recorded rains in many parts of the country, except light rains but only in Batanes area,” Badrina said.

He said the hot weather was due to easterlies or winds that blow from the Pacific Ocean.

“Isolated rains are still possible, but we don’t expect these to be strong,” he added.

No low-pressure area or typhoon has been monitored in or outside PAR.

“For this week, there is a lesser chance of typhoon occurrences, although this December we expect one. We will continue to monitor the third and fourth weeks of December,” Badrina said.

He said it is safe for small boats to sail as no gale warning has been issued.

“PAGASA cannot categorically say if the hot weather was caused by El Niño. It is still difficult to say if it is an effect of El Niño, although it is not yet amihan in December. We can still expect hot weather in December. The peak of amihan is in January and February,” Badrina said.

“We only have 20 days left before the year ends. Until now, we are still at letter J,” he said.

Typhoon Jenny in October was the latest tropical cyclone to enter PAR.