PAGASA warns of more rains ahead as La Nina underway

PAGASA on Friday warned that above normal rainfall conditions across most areas of the country can be expected during the last quarter of 2020 and early months of 2021 due to the onset of La Niña.

According to the state weather bureau, recent oceanic and atmospheric indicators signify La Niña is present in the tropical Pacific.

“Since June 2020, the sea surface temperature in the central and equatorial Pacific started to cool and further strengthened in September 2020 reaching La Niña threshold. Based on the latest forecast, weak to moderate La Niña is likely to persist until the first quarter of 2021,” PAGASA said.

“Rainfall forecast from October 2020 to March 2021 suggests that most parts of the country will likely receive near to above normal rainfall conditions.”

Moreover, five to eight tropical cyclones—  most of which are landfalling— are expected to enter or develop in the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

PAGASA said these tropical cyclones could trigger floods and landslides, particularly in the eastern sections of the country. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News