By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz The prevalence of thunderstorms, which is sometimes accompanied by hail, will become more frequent as the country approaches the climate transition period from warm and dry season to wet season. According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Samuel Duran, severe thunderstorms are normal at this time of the year due to hot weather that makes evaporation and condensation processes faster. Duran said the raining of hail stones that were reported in Benguet province over the weekend occurred during a severe thunderstorm activity. He explained that hailstones are formed when raindrops freeze in the cold layer of thunderstorm clouds that rapidly reach the ground as ice crystals. Severe thunderstorms, which are often associated with bursts of heavy rainfall, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail, will become more frequent as the country is about to transition to the wet season, Duran said. It is at its peak in the late afternoon or early evening due to high relative humidity. WEATHER ON WEDNESDAY Duran said the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), which is a breeding ground for low pressure area (LPA) and tropical cyclone, will continue to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Sarangani and Davao Occidental. PAGASA advised those in these areas of possible flooding or landslides in the event of severe thunderstorms. He pointed out that the weather bureau is monitoring a cloud cluster outside the country's area of responsibility for possible formation into an LPA. Meanwhile, isolated light rains may affect Batanes and Babuyan group of islands due to the northeasterly surface wind flow or mild breeze originating from the northeast. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to experience warm and humid weather conditions apart from isolated rain showers in the afternoon or evening due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms.