PAGASA Says a Low-Pressure Area Could Form This Week — But the Real Heat Is Just Getting Started

While most of the country is already feeling the sweltering heat, PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando revealed on Tuesday that a low-pressure area (LPA) could form sometime this week. But before you get your hopes up for cooler weather, the weather bureau says the disturbance is likely to move away from the country — so mainit pa rin, mga kapatid.

According to PAGASA's seasonal forecast, the Philippines can expect about four tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between now and May — one each in March and April, and two more in May. And from June through August, the rainy months, as many as 10 weather disturbances could enter PAR. So that's the bigger picture: a relatively quiet dry season followed by a monsoon season that could bring its usual share of storms.

For now, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" — which has weakened recently but made a brief comeback on Tuesday — is expected to bring surges of cool, dry winds through the weekend and possibly extending into the middle of next week, with one to two days' break in between.

Servando noted that amihan season typically ends around the spring equinox — this year falling on March 20. After that, expect the hot and dry season to fully kick in. PAGASA explained that while the Philippines doesn't technically have a "spring" season, the March equinox marks the transition to what Filipinos know all too well: tag-init in full force.

So here's the short version: enjoy the last cool breezes of amihan while they last, because by late March, it's going to be full-on summer mode. Stock up on tubig, turn on the electric fans, and maybe start budgeting for that aircon bill. It's about to get real.

Source: The Manila Times