by: Nathaniel Dela Torre || Photo Credit: fitopardo.com/Moment Open/Getty Images

Heavy rain and possible thunderstorms are expected to greet us as we enter the Christmas season, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) daily weather forecasts. 

Cloudy skies, moderate to heavy rain, and thunderstorms are forecasted to occur in most areas of the country. Some of these areas include Northern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Palawan, Davao Regions of Mindanao, and many others.

Three weather systems will continue to bring rain to the country. The first is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), wherein trade winds from both the northern and southern hemispheres meet, causing thunderstorms to occur. Another are the easterlies, which are hot winds flowing from the Pacific Ocean.  The last weather system affecting the country this month is the shear line, wherein the cold trade winds and the hot easterlies meet, also resulting in thunderstorms. 

All three weather systems cause rainfall or thunderstorms to occur. The ITCZ will affect most parts of Visayas and Mindanao, the shear line will take effect on parts of Northern Luzon, and lastly, easterlies will strike the eastern portions of the country.

One to two storms are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for the month of December. The typhoons are to be named Rosal and Samuel, respectively. As of December 5, 2022, no Low-Pressure Areas (LPA) or typhoons are being monitored by the agency within or outside of the PAR.

Gale Warnings were also raised on Northern Luzon, specifically Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte. Obet Badrina, a weather specialist from PAGASA, stated, “Inaasahan pa rin po natin na magiging maalon yung karagatan sa may hilagang baybayin po ng Hilagang Luzon … dulot ng pag-iral po ng Northeast Monsoon o ang hanging amihan. Kaya iwasan po muna nating pumalaot dito po sa lugar na ito ng ating bansa.”

[We are expecting wavy seas in the northern coasts of Northern Luzon … due to the Northeast Monsoon. With this, let us avoid sailing in these areas of the country.]

PAGASA continues to warn the citizens living in areas experiencing rainfalls to be careful of landslides and flash floods. These two are the deadliest weather-related hazards in the Philippines. With increased amounts of precipitation, it is expected that these hazards will also occur.