Philippines may remain cyclone-free until start of October — PAGASA
No low-pressure area or cloud cluster was being monitored inside the Philippine area of responsibility as of Sunday, Sept. 28, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the chance of cyclone formation remains slim until Thursday, Oct. 2, which means the country may stay cyclone-free until the start of October.
He added that Typhoon Bualoi (formerly “Opong”), which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, Sept. 27, is now moving toward Vietnam and no longer affects the country.
Badrina said the easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, will be the prevailing weather system, which may bring generally fair weather across most of the country.
From Monday to Tuesday, Sept. 29 to 30, localized thunderstorms may develop over the eastern section of the country and could bring partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.
From Wednesday to Thursday, Oct. 1 and 2, cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms may develop over Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas due to the easterlies.
Five tropical cyclones affected the country in September: tropical depressions Kiko, Lannie, and Marisol, Supertyphoon Nando, and Typhoon Opong.
Meanwhile, two to four tropical cyclones may affect the country in October, based on PAGASA’s historical records.