The Southwest monsoon, or “habagat”, has been bringing rain mostly to the western part of Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The weather authority, however, clarified the recent showers do not yet signal the start of the rainy season.
Ariel Rojas, PAGASA weather specialist, said the weather bureau is still continuously monitoring the 13 stations at the western side of Luzon.
“Southwest monsoon o hanging habagat ang nakakaapekto sa kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon. Nais natin linawin na bagama’t umiral na ang Habagat ay ‘di pa tayo nagdideklara ng opisyal na simula ng panahon ng tag-ulan. Patuloy tayong nagmo-monitor sa labintatlong station sa kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon,” Rojas said Tuesday.
He pointed out that there must be seven out of 13 stations to record a significant amount of rainfall before the agency declares the start of the rainy season.
There are no weather disturbances yet entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on the next three to five days, Rojas said.
“Naaapektuhan na rin ng Habagat ang Palawan kaya asahan ang maulap na kalangitan na may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan, pagkulog at pagkidlat. Muling paalala, may okasyon na may kalakasan ang pagbuhos ng ulan kaya posible ang pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa kaya’t ibayong pag-iingat sa mga kababayang Palaweño,” he added.
Moderate current will be experienced for those sailing on the West Philippine Sea, northern and eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon.
The wave height may reach up to 2.1 meters, and the rest of the seas will experience slight to moderate condition.
The local PAGASA office recorded 24.6 millimeters (mm) of the accumulated amount of rainfall during the month of June amounting to 24 percent from the normal rainfall of 118.4 mm.
Sonny Pajarilla, local weather chief, said June is expected to exceed from the normal amount of accumulated rainfall.
PAGASA already recorded 126.6 mm or 74 percent of accumulated rainfall from the normal of 171.1 mm.
“Ini-expect natin na ito ay mag-i-exceed sa ating normal dahil pagpasok ng Habagat ay may pag-ulan pa rin,” Pajarilla said.
