PAGASA: February may be typhoon-free month

The month of February, when the wrath of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon is projected to be at its peak, may not have any typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

At most, only one typhoon might arrive this month, according to a report on Balitanghali on Thursday.

Based on data from state weather bureau PAGASA, even if a typhoon did enter the PAR, no landfall scenarios are expected.

While a low pressure area (LPA) is also under observation near Mindanao, the chances of this developing into a typhoon were low.

However, the trough of the LPA was forecast to still cause rainfall over Mindanao and parts of Visayas, while the Amihan or Northeast Monsoon will likely affect Luzon.

Earlier, PAGASA declared that there would be a below-average number of tropical cyclones in 2024 due to the El Niño phenomenon, while Metro Manila may experience a dry spell or drought as early as February or March.

"Dito sa first quarter or up to the second quarter ng 2024, mga around 2 to 5 na bagyo lang [ang mararanasan] and pagdating po ng July to December, yung nakikita nating taya ng bilang ng bagyo is mga around 11 to 14," PAGASA Assistant Weather Services chief and Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section head Ana Liza said in a public briefing last month.

(In the first quarter or up to the second quarter of 2024, we will have around 2 to 5 tropical cyclones, and 11 to 14 from July to December.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News