PAGASA declares start of dry season

MANILA, Philippines — State weather forecasters yesterday advised Filipinos to expect and prepare for a hot and humid summer as it officially declared the start of the dry season.

“Recent analysis indicated the retreat of the high pressure area over Siberia, weakening the associated northeasterly winds and decreasing sea level pressure in the country,” said Vicente Malano, administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Malano said the wind pattern has generally shifted from northeasterlies to easterlies over most parts of the country as a result of the advancing HPA (high pressure area) over the northwestern Pacific.

Citing the cold and dry air of the northeast monsoon and the easterlies or warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean, Malano said such conditions signified the termination of the northeast monsoon and the start of the dry season and warmer conditions.

Now that the dry season has begun, PAGASA said the day-to-day rainfall distribution across the country will be influenced mostly by the easterlies and localized thunderstorms.

“The public is advised to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and optimize the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption,” Malano said.

PAGASA said it would continue to monitor the day-to-day weather and climate situation of the country.

Last year, the state weather bureau declared the start of the northeasterlies during the latter part of October, when the cold and dry air from Siberia started to bring cold and dry weather to the Philippines, especially in Luzon.

Summer break

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to ensure a safe summer vacation next month and will focus on the strict enforcement of health protocols and anti-crime measures.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said they are anticipating large crowds this year as tourist sites have reopened after a two-year hiatus.

“We are alerting all police units and stations to strictly adhere to our guidelines so we can avoid the resurgence of COVID cases and deter crimes,” Carlos said in a statement.

To jumpstart the PNP’s Oplan SumVac 2022, Carlos said they released a set of operational guidelines to better ensure that minimum public health standards and peace and order are maintained, especially in tourist destinations and places of worship.

Carlos said the month of April is marked by the observance of the Lenten season, national holidays, fiesta celebrations and other gatherings.

Visitors, both local and foreign, are expected to flock to various tourist spots during the summer break.

“We remind our establishments and other tourist-related businesses to continue observing health protocols and enforce their own system of guest monitoring,” Carlos said. –  Emmanuel Tupas