The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that the city is now experiencing a weak El Niño. This means that warmer temperatures and drier weather conditions manifested by below normal rainfall are likely to prevail in this coming months due to the El Niño phenomenon.
Sonny Pajarilla, Chief Meteorological Officer, said that as the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will be terminated this 1st week of March it is expected that at the end of March drought condition will be experienced based on the rainfall assessment and forecast from January-February 2019.
“Pag-alis ng “amihan” this coming 1 week of March mas mararamdaman natin ang El Nino. Mas lalong tataas ang temperature tapos walang ulan, and at the end of the March expected na po na drought condition na po ang Puerto Princesa at ang buong Palawan.”
PAGASA defined “drought” as “three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall (60 percent reduction from average) or five consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition (21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average).”
Normally in the coming months of April and May, the temperature will rise and there’s no chance of rain with the maximum temperature that will be experienced is 35 to 36 degrees Celsius.
PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the tropical Pacific and updates/advisories shall be issued as appropriate. Concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential impacts of this phenomenon.