The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a meteorological phenomenon called “temperature inversion” caused the “smog” on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 7.
PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda in a phone interview on Friday, Sept. 8 explained that a temperature inversion occurs when warm air traps the cooler air containing aerosols or air pollutants.
“Kapag mayroon po tayong temperature inversion, yung warm air po ay tinatrap niya 'yung cooler air. Iyon po ang nangyari kahapon. ‘Yung hangin po kahapon since natatrap po siya so mayroon po siyang kasamang kumbaga tinatawag po nating mga aerosols (When we have temperature inversion, the warm air traps the cooler air. That is what happened yesterday, Since it was trapped, it was compounded with what we call as aerosols,” Clauren-Jorda said.
She said the temperature inversion occurred 1.3 kilometers from the surface, and was visible around 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Metro Manila, Bataan, and other nearby areas.
“Yung mga dumi sa hangin na kung saan malapit po sa lupa 'yung inversion po na iyon, pwede po siyang malanghap ng mga tao, 'yung may mga problema po sa respiratory ay posible pong magkasakit dahil po doon (The dirt in the air, which is close to the ground because of that inversion, people can inhale it, those with respiratory problems can get sick because of that),” Clauren-Jorda added.
She noted that temperature inversion is a usual occurrence, especially during the northeast monsoon or “amihan” season.
Clauren-Jorda advised wearing face masks, especially for those with respiratory problems, and for drivers to "not travel or stop first until the smog disperses" when there is low visibility to avoid accidents. (Lizst Torres Abello)