Why it rained amid summer heat, PAGASA explains

The high temperature has caused the sudden downpour in some areas of the country, weather bureau PAGASA said. 

In Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report Friday, the state weather bureau explained how the warm temperature played a role in the formation of cumulonimbus clouds that brought rains across parts of the Philippines.

“Itong thunderstorms po ay mainly driven by synoptic scale. Ito po ay driven by nearby bodies of water,” said PAGASA Climitologist John Manalo.

(Thunderstorms are driven by the synoptic scale and the bodies of water.)

“’Yung water cycle natin so kapag naiinitan po yung bodies of water natin nagkakaroon ng evaporation. 'Yung updraft na 'yun or 'yung evaporation na 'yun at kapag nag-accumulate…maaari siyang mag-develop into thunderstorms,” Manalo added. 

(In the water cycle, heat triggers evaporation. So when the updraft or evaporation accumulate, it may develop into thunderstorms.)

Rains drenched some areas in the country including Cavite, Mountain Province, and Aurora. 

A tornado was likewise reported in Alcala, Cagayan. 

However, PAGASA said it doesn’t signal the start of the rainy season anytime soon. 

“May mga ginagamit po kasi tayong criteria bago masabi na 'yung southwest monsoon na,” said Manalo.

(We have a set of criteria to say the southwest monsoon is here.)

“Kapag umulan na ng at least five millimeters, bali titingnan natin dun ano 'yung dominant patterns of winds. Kung nakikita na ba natin na southwesterly na 'yung nakakaapekto sa atin sa Pillipinas,” he added. 

(If we monitored at least 5 mm of rain, then we look at the dominant patterns of wind. That’s how we’ll determine if the southwesterly is blowing over the Philippines.)

PAGASA reminded the public to prepare for the expected increase in heat index, which it expects to hit 50°C by May. 

“Recently, nasa 42°C to 45°C naglalaro. Ngayon po, umaabot na tayo sa 47°C na heat index. It means na as expected, we are experiencing ang mas matataas na temperatures at heat index as we approach the month of May,” Manalo added.

(We’re at 42°C to 45°C . This means as expected, we are experiencing higher temperatures and heat index as we approach the month of May.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News