The rainy season has officially begun according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The state weather bureau, in a statement issued Friday, June 2, said the criteria for the declaration of the onset of the rainy season in the Philippines have all been met.
(Jansen Romero / Manila Bulletin File Photo)
“The occurrence of scattered thunderstorms, the passage of super typhoon Betty and the southwest monsoon over the past few days have brought widespread rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas which signifies the start of the rainy season in the country,” said PAGASA.
In the same statement, weather specialists likewise stressed the high likelihood of El-Niño transition in the next few months which may persist until the first quarter of 2024. This weather phenomenon increases the chances of below-normal rainfall conditions which may result in dry spells and droughts.
Despite this, PAGASA still warned of “above normal rainfall conditions” over the western section of the archipelago due to the enhanced southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat.”