ILOILO CITY – There is a big chance for a back-to-back to La Niña this year.
Weather Specialist Ferdinand Rubin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), citing La Nina Advisory No. 5, said La Niña will persists up to May, then return again by August after three months (May to July) of ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) neutral conditions.
La Nina is a weather phenomenon that increases the likelihood of having above-normal rainfall conditions.
“After sang La Niña, balik sa neutral conditions. Pero after sini, posible magbalik sa La Niña. Mas daku ang ang tsansa nga magka-back- to-back La Niña,” said Rubin.
Pagasa declared the onset of La Niña in Oct. 15 last year.
Two weeks ago Pagasa officially declared the onset of the dry season. The state weather said recent analyses indicated a retreat of the High Pressure Area (HPA) over Siberia, thereby weakening of the associated northeasterly winds and decreasing sea level pressure in the country.
Moreover, it added that the wind pattern has generally shifted from northeasterlies to easterlies over most parts of the country as a result of the advancing HPA over the Northwestern Pacific.
“These signify the termination of the northeast monsoon (amihan) and the start of the dry season and warmer conditions. Furthermore, the day-to-day rainfall distribution across the country will be influenced mostly by easterlies and localized thunderstorms,” Pagasa administration Vicente Malano said in a statement.
Rubin earlier advised Ilonggos, especially those with health conditions associated with heat, to prepare for a hot dry season.
Rubin said that during this season, among the possible illnesses are heat cramps and heat stroke.
“Pwede kita maka-counter measures – inom damu nga tubig, suksok sang light nga bayo, kag indi sagi gwa sa initan kon indi importante, especially sa mga udto kag hapon,” said Rubin./PN
