The recent occurrence of rains in Palawan has been due to the shifting of winds from prevailing easterlies to the south and southeast winds, according to the local weather bureau.
Sonny Pajarilla, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday that the transitioning not necessarily signifies the start of the rainy season.
Pajarilla said the rains should also manifest not only in Palawan but also in western parts of the country including Metro Manila, western side of central Luzon, northern Luzon and most of MIMAROPA parts.
“Meron shifting ng ating hangin, ang hangin natin ngayon from prevailing easterlies na dulot ng napakainit na panahon ng Abril at Mayo ay nagsi-shift na from the south, ang hangin natin ngayon ay south at southeast,” he said.
“Magiging halos dominant na south at southeasterly dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon and then mayroon ‘yang tinatawag tayo na stations at least pito na magma-manifest at least limang araw na sunod-sunod na mayroong ulan na one millimeter, at least may 25-millimeter na accumulation of rain,” Pajarilla added.
He said that the wind hits the slant position of Palawan island in what is called the “orographic effect.” The collision of winds will pile up and the water vapor content will accumulate, consequently bringing massive clouds and thunderstorm.
Pajarilla said that the clouds from the southern Mindanao area or southern Sulu area are being transported by the prevailing south-easterly and southern winds to Palawan that also brought rains over the province.
“Plus the fact na iyong ating equatorial trough kung tawagin o yong mababang sea level pressure dahil sa laging dinadaanan ng araw ay dito sa south ng Pilipinas. Kung saan yong mabababa ang pressure, nandoon yong convergences ng ating hangin, consequently, nandon ang mga ulap,” he said.
The rains over Palawan also reduced the rate of heat index experienced from 35 to 33 degrees Celsius. The significant amount of rain cools down the soil after it absorbed a high amount of heat.
There are rains observed in mountainous areas, while in low-land areas, it is expected at least every two days until the rainy season officially starts.
“Napakataas ng ating heat index before, ngayon ay nag-cool off na ‘yon, although may pangungulap tayo, hindi naman natin inaasahan yong talagang tulad ng last week na tuloy-tuloy na development ng thunderstorm kasi maliban na wala tayong masyadong ulap sa southern Sulu area, malamig-lamig na rin ang ating lupa,” he said.
However, the occurrence of rains does not bring an increase in wave height in the country’s seaboard. Pajarilla said that the sea condition currently experienced is at a moderate level.
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