PAG-ASA: Fair weather expected in Cebu today

CEBU, Philippines — Starting tomorrow, Cebu’s weather may be improving, according to a local weather specialist from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Netherlen Saletrero from Visayas PAGASA Regional Services Division said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITZC) that has been affecting the region is seen to recede away from here.

“By tomorrow (Tuesday), it is forecasted to move towards Mindanao.  Since Sunday, it was observed oscillating near the Visayas regions that is why we (Cebu residents) had been experiencing rains,” she said over a phone interview on Monday (Nov. 5).

She said the rain-inducing system has disrupted the weather conditions over central and eastern Visayas since last weekend.

Last November 4, she said Cebu registered 16 millimeters of rain that is equivalent to 80,000 water drums per square kilometer.

Once the ITCZ recedes from the region on Tuesday, weather in Cebu may return to normal conditions.

Saletrero said what the weather bureau is monitoring the possible formation of a Low Pressure Area on weekend.

Based on the recent observation, a system may develop on the eastern part of the country, inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

She, however, said there is less chance that it may intensify and form into a tropical cyclone.

The Mactan weather station is closely keeping watch of possible occurrence of weather disturbances this November and December.

On each month, an average of one to two tropical cyclones is forecasted to develop and enter PAR, according to PAGASA’s forecast.

During these periods, the track of tropical cyclones mostly traverses central and southern Philippines because of the significant influence of the Northeast monsoon.

Notably, historical data shows that most of the tropical cyclones formed on these months are more intense.

An example is super typhoon Yolanda, which is considered as one of the strongest land-falling tropical cyclones ever recorded that crossed the Visayas on November 7 to 8, 2013. (FREEMAN)