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While rain is likely to continue falling on the Philippines during the summer months, it may shift to the western part of the country by then, state weather forecasters said Monday.

 

In a radio interview, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration administrator Nathaniel Servando said this is once the northeast monsoon ends.

 

"Ang buwan ng amihan inaasahan natin (hanggang) Pebrero o Marso, inaasahan natin pag-ulan sa silangang bahagi ng kapuluan, ito ay lilipat sa kanlurang bahagi ng ating bansa," Servando said in an interview on dzXL radio.

 

He said the rain that continues to fall at this time of the year is due to La Niña, a weather phenomenon characterized by heavy rain.

 

La Niña is expected to last until May and is reaching its peak this month, Servando said.

 

"Kaya itong nararanasan nating pag-ulan, halos di pangkaraniwan na situation, malapit na ang tag-init, ito ang epekto," he said.

 

Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said La Niña may cause a wet and relatively "cool" summer this year.

 

He said normal conditions would have seen a rise in temperatures leading to March.

 

Aurelio noted "normal" conditions would also include hot temperatures of 34 to 35 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, and up to 37 degrees in Tuguegarao in Cagayan.

 

But he said the temperatures may be cooler this year due to La Niña.

 

"Abnormal ang condition dahil narito pa effect ng La Niña," he said in an interview on dzBB radio Sunday. — RSJ, GMA News