PAGASA: Below normal rainfall observed in February amid El Niño

Below-normal rainfall was observed in February over a vast swathe of the country due to the El Niño, the weather bureau PAGASA has said.

According to a report on "24 Oras," PAGASA found that below-normal rainfall was experienced in most of Luzon, parts of Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, and the Zamboanga Peninsula from Feb. 1 to Feb. 29. 

Above-normal rainfall was monitored in SOCCSKSARGEN and Davao Oriental. 

The weather bureau earlier said the worst of El Niño has yet to be felt as it warned of actual temperatures soaring to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, particularly in some areas in northern Luzon. 

The heat index, also referred to as the discomfort index, may go much higher.

The highest temperature recorded so far this year has been 37.1 degrees Celsius, recorded in Zamboanga City on February 15.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/weather/899155/worst-of-el-nino-yet-to-come-warns-pagasa/story/

“"Hindi pa natin nararanasan 'yung sinasabi natin na matinding mga init until mag-terminate tayo ng Amihan. May mga areas na na-predict natin could be as high as 40 degrees lalo na sa mga areas ng Cagayan Valley region by April, May, makikita natin yun," said Ana Solmoro Solis, chief of PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section.

(We will not experience the worst of the heat until the end of Amihan. We've predicted that in some areas the temperature could reach as high as 40 degrees especially in areas in Cagayan Valley by April or May.)

PAGASA said there is a slight chance of rain across parts of Luzon over the weekend except in Northern Luzon, Aurora, and Mindoro provinces. 

Rains showers may prevail over Samar and Leyte on Saturday and other parts of Negros provinces and Central Visayas on Sunday. 

In Mindanao, rains may be experienced over the Sulu Archipelago, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Davao Region. 

A gale warning was likewise issued in Northern Luzon. —NB, GMA Integrated News