THE Philippines is transitioning into its wet season, with increased rainfall reported across several areas, particularly in the afternoons and evenings, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced Tuesday.
Pagasa weather specialist Veronica Torres noted the increase in rainfall around Metro Manila, indicating the country’s shift towards the wet season.
However, Torres explained that Pagasa uses specific parameters before officially declaring the start of the rainy season.
“We will look at the accumulated rainfall and the days if the rainfall is continuous, and then our fellow climatologists will look at it, and then after that, when the parameters are met, it is possible for us to declare the rainy season,” Torres said.
These parameters include at least 25 mm of rainfall over five days, or at least 1 mm of rainfall for three consecutive days. Last year, the wet season officially began on May 29.
Despite the recent rains caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and thunderstorms, Pagasa clarified that the dry season technically remains.
Metro Manila is expected to experience hot and humid weather in the coming days, with a higher chance of localized thunderstorms developing in the afternoons.
“Although it will be clear weather from morning until noon, there’s a high chance of the occurrence of localized thunderstorms come afternoon,” Torres added.
