PAGASA Predicts Short And Wet Summer This Year

The La Nina phenomenon is likely to bring heavy rains to the country

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) predicts a short but wet summer this year due to the La Nina phenomenon.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Filipinos can look forward to a short and wet summer this year as a result of the La Nina, a phenomenon characterized by heavy rains. Graciano Yumul Jr., PAGASA officer-in-charge, said that the “dry” half of summer is likely to extend between April and the first half of May only. With the moderate La Nina, the summer season will be short.

March will be rainy as well as in May. PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said that the effects of the La Nina may be felt until April. He said that March and April will see a colder temperature than the normal. Aurelio said that under “normal” conditions, there will be hot temperatures of 34 to 35 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila. He revealed, however, that cool weather is expected this year because of the La Nina. Yumul said that the public may have to brace for intense cyclones after the summer. PAGASA is expecting 20 to 22 cyclones to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year.

The number is greater than the number of cyclones last year. In line with this, Yumul appealed to the public to keep the agency’s weather detection and monitoring equipment in relation to the recent theft of such items in Pangasinan. He made this call as PAGASA is hoping that the installation of seven Doppler radars across the country this year. Yumul said that stealing these gadgets is like murdering other people because it lessens the agency’s capability to predict weather disturbances.