El Niño to destabilize the air temperature

CEBU, Philippines — December or the Christmas season is usually marked by cool breezes, but what happens when there is a looming El Niño phenomenon?

Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Visayas, said this event may result to an erratic degree in air temperature.

This event, he explained, is significant since the change from cold to warm in a day might affect a person’s physical condition.

“Mag-usab usab man ang temperatura mao nga posibleng magkasakit-sakit ang tawo,” he said.

Quiblat said a person’s body might fail to adapt to the abrupt changes in temperature with the cold breeze at dawn followed by heat surges during the daylight hours.

He said the prevailing northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan” brings cool air at evening or dawn. He explained that these monsoons originate from the north or mainland China, which experiences winter at this time, and blows off to the country’s coasts.

On the other hand, Quiblat said the impending development of El Niño apparently affects the rainfall condition in the country.

He said starting last month until April, Cebu was predicted to receive below the average rainfall it usually gets.

PAGASA Visayas station noted that Cebu already marked a 49-percent rainfall deficit in November.

According to the weather bureau, the end months of 2018 are most likely seen as the transition period of the development of an El Niño.

An El Niño phenomenon occurs when there is an unusual warming of the ocean temperatures in the Pacific, affecting air and sea currents.

One of the adverse effects of El Niño to the country is scarce rains. As an effect, Quiblat said warm weather may prevail due to lesser rain.

He explained that rain is one of the main contributing factors that cool down the air temperature. (FREEMAN)