Weather disturbances to hit Vis-Min

As the northeast monsoon (amihan) fully sets in, weather disturbances are most likely to cross the central sections of the country, said Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA-Cebu Acting Head Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. said there is 60 to 70 percent probability that the track of disturbances will pass through the Visayas region or northern Mindanao in the succeeding months.

The rain-inducing disturbances include the low pressure area (LPA) and its more intensified form, tropical cyclones, locally known as "bagyo."

Quiblat said these disturbances are seen to pass through central Philippines because of one major factor the prevailing wind (northeast monsoon) - that affects their direction or track.

Winds from the north originating from mainland China or Siberia blow downward to the east of the country pushing weather disturbances to the regions of Visayas or Mindanao, he said.

Quiblat added this wind direction happens during the northeast monsoon season whose onset typically occurs in November.

The northeast monsoon is one of the two major seasonal winds, aside from southwest monsoon (or habagat), that affects the country's atmospheric conditions, including the track of disturbances.

Quiblat said an average of two to three tropical cyclones are anticipated to develop and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility - the imaginary boundary enclosing the country's landmass.

He said the state weather bureau has already recorded one in November that is tropical storm "Salome" which exited PAR last Saturday.

Salome (local name) is the 19th tropical cyclone this year that crossed inside PAR.

Quiblat further said that weather stations are monitoring now another LPA seen yesterday hovering over the seas east of General Santos City, South Cotabato.

He said there is less chance for the LPA to intensify into a tropical cyclone, but its trough or extension may affect Cebu's weather today.