PH transitioning to rainy season - PAGASA

Rain will be more frequent in the days to come as the country moves into the wet season, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.

“Papunta na po tayo sa transition, papunta pong tag-ulan o rainy season sa bansa,” PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia told Balitanghali, noting that thunderstorms are common in the month of May.

(We are now transitioning towards the rainy season in the country.)

“Sa atin pong mga analysis, posible po na sa mga darating na araw, mas magiging frequent pa 'yung mga passing rain showers o 'yung mga pag-kidlat, pag-kulog sa hapon at gabi sa mga susunod na araw,” she added.

(Based on our analysis, frequent passing rain showers, thunder, and lightning in the afternoon and evening are possible in the coming days.)

Rain showers and thunderstorms have been observed in Metro Manila and several provinces in the past few days, giving people respite from the extreme heat brought by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Hailstorms also recently occurred in Baguio and Quezon City.

While the onset of the rainy season normally takes place between the end of May and early June, PAGASA said that the La Niña phenomenon may only strengthen in the last quarter of 2024.

“Sa analysis naman po ng PAGASA, meron po tayong 65% to 70% na magkakaroon o magsisimula ang mahina o weak La Niña by June, July, and August hanggang September, October…and then opo eventually lalakas po 'yung La Niña episode natin by the end of the year,” said Galicia.

(According to PAGASA’s analysis, we have a 65% to 75% chance that a weak La Niña may start by June, July, and August until September, October…and then the La Niña episode will eventually strengthen by the end of the year.)

La Niña is associated with above-normal rainfall conditions during the last quarter and early months of the following year.

PAGASA earlier urged preparations for La Niña, especially in areas prone to flooding. —VBL, GMA Integrated News