Rains still likely today

CEBU, Philippines - The Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) observed widespread rain over Cebu province yesterday morning and thunderstorms in some localities that may reoccur until today.

Engineer Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist of PAGASA Regional Services Division for Visayas, said this weather condition is due to the effects of Southwest monsoon (locally known as “Habagat”) whose strength is enhanced by a tropical storm spotted near northern Luzon.

He projected that these effects of gloomy skies and rainy periods may persist until today with the presence of a weather disturbance.

“This is somehow an indirect effect. Though we are far from the tropical storm, the enhanced Southwest monsoon has brought rains and thunderstorms in the Visayas region, including Cebu,” he said yesterday.

He said that thunderstorms in particular induce heavy rains, strong winds, lightning, and thunder while its severe form causes waterspouts or land tornadoes.

Without the thunderstorms, Eclarino said rains may only vary in intensity from light to moderate.

As to sea conditions, he said the state weather bureau has not issued any gale warning, however he cautioned small-scale fishermen and vessel operators from venturing into the waters as they might encounter huge waves.

The winds seen blowing from the Southwest ranged from moderate to strong, causing rough seas, he explained.

The Southwest monsoon is one of the two major wind systems that affect the weather conditions of the country; the other is the Northeast monsoon, also known here as "Amihan." The former typically occurs from June to September.

The Southwest monsoons are the warm and moist winds that originate from the South Indian Ocean or the Australian continent causing rains over the western portion of the country; it may cause torrential rains if enhanced by tropical cyclone or a low pressure system, just like the event last Saturday morning when a Low Pressure Area developed inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The following morning, it intensified into a tropical cyclone, categorized first as tropical depression and named “Isang.”

It further strengthened and elevated to tropical storm last Sunday night while heading towards the Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands

It then slowly enhanced the strength of the Southwest monsoon and rains started to pour in some localities far from Luzon while areas in its northern tip are already placed under storm warning signals

Isang is the ninth tropical cyclone recorded this year but the first for August.

Based on historical records, two to four tropical cyclones are projected to develop and cross the country every August. (FREEMAN)