1 to 2 storms likely in May – Pagasa

1 to 2 storms likely in May – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines: THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday that one to two tropical cyclones will likely form or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this month.

However, these storms may form late this month as the country continues to feel the impact of El Niño.

Pagasa forecaster Rhea Torres said two weather systems – the easterlies and the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) – are affecting the rest of the country, particularly southern Mindanao.

The ITCZ will bring overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Tawi-tawi and Sulu, she said.

Metro Manila, which would endure temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius until Thursday, will have cloudy to partly cloudy skies with isolated downpours or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, Pagasa said.

“However, these isolated rain showers or thunderstorms could only occur late in the afternoon or at night,” Torres said.

Pagasa warned that Camarines Sur will have a “dangerous” heat index of 48 degrees Celsius until Thursday while the province of Pangasinan will swelter at 47 degrees Celsius and Metro Manila, 44 degrees Celsius.