'Full blown' El Niño to develop this year

MANILA, Philippines — El Niño is expected to go “full-blown” as early as the end of February, the state weather bureau PAGASA announced Wednesday.

In a press briefing, PAGASA issued El Niño Advisory No. 1 as the phenomenon associated to above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is forecast to be fully-developed by the end of the month or March.

“Itinaas na po natin ngayong araw na ito because El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific, weak El Niño po siya,” Analiza Solis, Climate Information monitoring section chief, said.

Warmer temperatures, below normal rainfall conditions and delayed onset of rainy season are expected, Solis said. Potential for meteorological dry spell to drought conditions in most areas in the country in the coming months.

Temperature during the summer could reach 40.7 degree celsius, particularly in Tuguegarao, Cagayan and up to 38.2 degree celsius in Metro Manila.

Around 14 to 18 tropical cyclones are forecast to develop this year—down from the usual 20 tropical cyclones annually.

Esperanza Cayanan, PAGASA Weather Division chief, said the weak El Niño could also affect the country’s energy supply as water levels in dams could become low.

In late 2015 to June 2016, the country experienced one of the most severe El Niño on record, with the production of staple crops such as rice hitting low levels. — Gaea Katreena Cabico