The La Niña episode that started September 2007 has ended. Current sea surface temperature observations in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific are close to their average, or normal values. Near-neutral conditions are expected to continue over the coming months, as shown by atmospheric and oceanic indicators and model forecasts.
The weather systems that affected the country during the month of June were the southwest monsoon, the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the ridge of high pressure area, easterly wave, the tail-end of a cold front, and one (1) tropical cyclone. The passage of Typhoon (TY) "Frank" (June 18 - 23) within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) wreaked havoc on many areas of the Philippines. TY "Frank", characterized by an erratic track while crossing the country, has become one of the fiercest typhoons this year. This typhoon induced the southwest monsoon and caused widespread flooding, storm surge, and landslides. As reported by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), this typhoon caused an estimated P10 billion pesos in damages to infrastructure and to agriculture, particularly in the hard hit areas of Western Visayas (Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Antique) and in Eastern Visayas (Leyte and Eastern Samar).
Rainfall assessment for the month of June was above to way above normal over the Visayas, particularly in Region VI and the western and southern parts of Mindanao, where widespread flooding and landslides occurred. Rainfall in these areas surpassed their averages for the month due to weeklong rains brought by TY "Frank". Likewise, above normal rainfall was observed in some portions of Region IX. The rest of the country experienced near normal rainfall condition except for the western and extreme northern Luzon, southern Palawan, and Albay which received below normal rainfall.
Warmer night time temperatures were noted, while slightly cooler day time temperatures were observed in most parts of the country. Average temperature ranges over the archipelago in June were recorded as follows: 22°C to 36°C over the low lands of Luzon, 16°C to 24°C for the mountainous areas of Luzon, 23°C to 33°C for Visayas, 22°C to 33°C for the lowlands of Mindanao, and 19°C to 29°C over the mountainous area of Mindanao.
Weather systems that are expected to affect the country for the month of July are the ITCZ, the southwest monsoon, the easterly wave, and the ridge of high pressure area. Two (2) or three (3) tropical cyclones are expected to enter the PAR during the month. Generally, rainfall conditions in most parts of the country would likely be near normal while below normal rainfall are expected in some areas of central and southern part of Luzon. Predicted ranges of temperature are as follows: 23°C to 34°C for Luzon, the mountainous areas of Luzon from 16°C to 23°C, the Visayas from 23°C to 32°C, Mindanao from 22°C to 32°C and the mountainous areas of Mindanao from 19°C to 29°C
PAGASA will continue to monitor the day-to-day rainfall/weather conditions and the large-scale climatic patterns that will affect the country.
For more information, you may contact the Weather Branch at Telephone Numbers 927-1541, 926-4258, 927-1335 and 928-2031.
