MANILA, PHILIPPINES – According to the weather agency, there’s an increasing chance that June and July may experience La Niña.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a La Niña Watch because there is a 55% chance that the phenomena may materialize over the next six months.
“Pre-developing La Niña historically, is characterized by below-normal rainfall; therefore, the possibility of a slight delay on the onset of the rainy season is likely with the combined effects of the ongoing El Niño,” the bureau said.
In a press conference, PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction chief Ana Liza Solis said even if the bureau has issued the La Niña Watch alert, the public should still concentrate on the impacts of strong El Niño.
“Historically, below-normal rainfall is observed during pre-developing La Niña. We are not going to tackle yet the possible effects of La Niña since it is too far from now and is still uncertain,” she said.
Although El Niño appears to be weakening, PAGASA stated that the phenomenon will continue from March through May.
According to the most recent PAGASA data, there was drought in 24 Luzon provinces and one in the Visayas. Ten provinces saw dry conditions, and at least sixteen provinces in the nation saw dry spells.
According to Solis, the effects of El Niño may be more noticeable in March and April, when roughly 40 regions may face drought.
Rainfall in drought-affected areas has been below average for five months running or significantly below average (a loss of 40%) for three months.
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