PAGASA says: Rains may occur during dry season

CEBU, Philippines — Rains may still occur even during the dry season.

Specialist from Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) explained that the continuing hot weather can cause abrupt evaporation of air forming thunderstorm clouds.

Netherlen Soletrero, weather specialist from PAGASA Regional Services Division for Visayas, attributed the warm temperatures in Cebu to the easterlies prevailing this dry season.

She said the easterly winds originating from the Pacific have brought warm and moist air to the country causing warmer weather here.

She further explained that the heat experienced in Cebu, including Bohol, may apparently cause to develop localized thunderstorms that induced rains yesterday.

“Even this dry season, rainshowers and thunderstorms are still expected to develop,” Soletrero told The FREEMAN in a phone interview.

But cloud formation is mostly likely to mature on late afternoon or evening or early dawn.

Soletrero said localized thunderstorms were expected due to warm temperature like in Metro Cebu that has been registering heat intensities exceeding the average.

Yesterday, PAGASA Lapu-Lapu station observed thunderstorm formations in areas and portions of Cebu province.

It issued advisories warning residents of the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue and the towns of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Samboan and other neighboring localities.

Some of the effects of thunderstorms they noted were heavy rains and strong winds.

Soletrero said Cebu province is expected to receive an average of 50 millimeters of rain every April, which is the driest month for the year.

As of April 29, Cebu’s rainfall amount already registered 64.7 millimeters. —/GAN (FREEMAN)