Habagat season is here—PAGASA
Habagat season has begun, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration announced.
In a press release on May 30, the state weather bureau stated that Filipinos can expect frequent rains and thunderstorms as the southwest monsoon starts.
"Recent analyses over the past days have shown the presence of southwesterly winds over the western section of the country, and may continue due to the recent development of a Tropical Cyclone over the Philippine Sea," PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said.
He added that the developments suggest the start of habagat, which is one of the precursors of the onset of the rainy season.
"As the habagat becomes a more dominant weather system, occasional to frequent rains and thunderstorms are expected, particularly over the western sections of the country. This may lead to the possible onset of the rainy season in the coming days."
Servando also noted that there may be "monsoon breaks," or temporary pauses in rainfall, that last for a few days or weeks.
Moreover, PAGASA has monitored Typhoon Domeng (international name Jangmi) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility east of Batanes. Moving northwestward, Domeng is not expected to make landfall in the country, but its trough or extension has brought scattered rains and thunderstorms in Central Luzon, Cagayan, and Isabela.
It has also enhanced the southwest monsoon, which has brought rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Negros Island, Zamboanga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Domeng is expected to exit PAR by June 1 morning or afternoon.
