By JEN BAYLON
Some areas in Western Visayas will still continue to experience high heat indices despite the onset of the rainy season, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
“Ekspektar naton gihapon, from time to time, bisan rainy season, may ara possibility sang mainit kag mapaang nga panahon,” Pagasa weather specialist Ferdinand Rubin said.
Rubin said, as the southwest monsoon or habagat signals the start of the rainy season in the Philippines, localized thunderstorms will be experienced from time to time.
“Ang rainy season gina-define sa kakusugon sang habagat ukon southwest monsoon,” Rubin said.
“Since ang southwest monsoon sa Luzon lang naga-apekto, indi diri lab-ot sa Western Visayas. So may ara gihapon times nga mainit ang panahon,” he added.
Temperatures ranging from 26 to 34 degrees Celsius and a heat index of up to 42 degrees Celsius will still be experienced despite the onset of the rainy season.
Pagasa earlier said that high temperatures cause the formation of convective clouds, bringing rain showers particularly in the afternoon or evening.
The agency continues to issue heat index forecasts and weather bulletins to warn residents against the adverse effects of high index levels.
It also advises the public to take precautions and stay hydrated amid high temperatures.
The weather bureau announced the start of the rainy season on Wednesday, May 29.
Rain showers brought by Typhoon “Aghon,” frequent thunderstorms and habagat met the criteria to declare the onset of the wet season, Pagasa said.
Meanwhile, Pagasa said there is a 69 percent chance that the La Niña phenomenon will begin around July to September of this year, while above-normal rainfall is expected until the first quarter of next year.
“During La Niña, tropical cyclones are more likely to make landfall, especially in the eastern and central sections of the country, including Mindanao,” Pagasa deputy administrator Marcelino Villafuerte II said in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.
Pagasa forecasts that 12 to 17 tropical cyclones are expected to enter or develop within the Philippine area of responsibility this year.
Villafuerte said most tropical cyclones will occur in the last quarter. / With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ