THE rainy season is likely to begin next week, with weather conditions aligning with the typical onset timeline, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday.
“We’re expecting a normal onset probably by next week. Rains are forecast this weekend, but we are closely monitoring whether the criteria for officially declaring the rainy season have been met,” said PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando.
Key indicators for the start of the rainy season include the continued presence of low-level southwesterly windflow over the western section of Luzon and a weakening of the easterly winds.
PAGASA is also assessing rainfall accumulation in the western parts of Luzon and Visayas, regions classified under Type 1 climate, which are influenced by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
“Mindanao isn’t included in these parameters because it’s generally influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and shear line during the northeast monsoon (amihan) season,” Servando explained.
On Friday afternoon, PAGASA officially declared the start of the habagat, a significant sign of the approaching rainy season.
“As the habagat becomes more dominant, we expect occasional to frequent rains and thunderstorms, particularly in western Luzon. This could lead to the declaration of the rainy season within the next two weeks,” the agency noted in a statement.
Despite the expected onset, Servando clarified that June won’t be rainy throughout, as occasional sunny breaks are normal during this period.
For this weekend, rains will primarily affect the western section of Luzon.
