La Niña bringing rainy, warm weather

The La Niña phenomenon will bring above normal rains and slightly warmer than average temperatures next month.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday the weak La Niña is expected to last until April or May.

La Niña still persists in the tropical Pacific, with likely

transition to neutral (condition) during March-April-May, according to the climate monitoring and prediction section.

Above normal rainfall is forecast over Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes, all in Luzon; Basilan, Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat as well as in Davao region, all in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, below normal rainfall is expected over Luzon in March, while near to above normal rainfall will prevail over the Visayas and Mindanao.

PAGASA said the La Niña condition would also bring slightly warmer than average surface temperature in most parts of the country in the coming months.

The weather bureau expects the northeasterly winds – cold air from China and Siberia – to end in the first week of March.

Easterlies or warm air from the Pacific will prevail over the country during the dry season or from March to May.

In Northern Luzon, PAGASA expects the temperature to hit 39.3 degrees Celsius in April.

In Metro Manila, the forecast maximum temperature for April is 37.8 degrees Celsius.

Ana Liza Solis, officer-in-charge of climate monitoring, said that during a La Niña event, the sea temperature near the Philippines is warm, triggering higher level of precipitation or rainfall and sometimes stronger cyclones.

“In general, we will experience slightly warmer than average (temperatures). The easterlies are stronger during La Niña,” Solis said.

PAGASA said six to nine tropical cyclones may develop or enter the Philippine area of responsibility from March to August.