PAGASA: “Full-blown weak El Niño” expected this month

(Eagle News) — Expect a”full-blown weak El Nino” this month, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Tuesday, March 19.

According to Benison Estareja, PAGASA weather specialist, this may last until June.

“So expect way below normal rainfall sa maraming lugar sa Pilipinas…May mga provinces na inaasahang magkakatagtuyot: sa Ilocos provinces, Mindoro provinces, Zamboanga peninsula area,” he said.

As it is, he said  rains were expected in several parts of the country because of the low pressure area, formerly “Chedeng.”

He said a yellow rainfall warning has been hoisted over Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Norte, which means moderate to heavy rains were expected here.

Scattered to moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro, North Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao City.

In the Visayas, light to moderate rains due to the trough of the LPA were expected, Estareja said.

He said the LPA has no direct effect on Luzon, which is expected to have fair weather and localized thunderstorms.

High waves are expected in the eastern seaboards of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat, Surigao provinces, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental, Estareja said.