Dry season arrives ahead of oncoming storm

While the Philippines has been bracing for a typhoon's arrival this weekend, another usually highly-anticipated weather event almost escaped everyone's notice.

 

Yes, it's official: The dry season or what many Filipinos call summer is here.

 

State weather agency PAGASA officially announced the start of this year's dry or summer season Wednesday, April 1.

 

PAGASA said its recent observations showed a "significant increase" in daily temperature in most parts of the country.

 

Also, it said its analysis showed the establishment of the North Pacific High, which favors the shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly.

 

"Considering changes in the wind pattern and pressure system related with the changing of the season, the current weather condition signifies the imminent termination of the Northeast Monsoon," PAGASA said in a statement, a copy of which was tweeted by GMA News' I M Ready on Wednesday.

 

JUST IN: 'Di na umiiral ang NE Monsoon sa Pilipinas ayon sa @Dost_pagasa?. Ibig sabihin, DRY SEASON o TAG-ARAW na. pic.twitter.com/PGp1k46NEX

— I M Ready (@IMReadyPH) April 1, 2015
 

Sunny week, rainy weekend

This explains why the country has been experiencing hot weather this Holy Week, even though Super Typhoon Maysak is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late Wednesday evening.

Upon entry into the PAR, Maysak will be given the local codename "Chedeng." It is forecast to weaken and will not directly affect the country until Friday at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the entire country can expect mostly hot and sunny weather ahead of the cyclone's arrival.

Warmer days ahead
 

Notwithstanding the incoming typhoon, PAGASA reminded the public to expect warmer days ahead and generally good weather in the months to come.

 

Warm easterly winds will prevail, but occasional isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms may still be expected. Coastal waters may be moderate at times in eastern Luzon and Visayas due to the prevailing easterlies.

 

"The general public is advised to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and take note of the need in optimizing the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption," PAGASA said.

No summer in the tropics

According to GMA's resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz and geology professor CP David, there is technically no "summer season" in the Philippines—or in any other tropical climate country in the world, for that matter.

Summer, being one of four seasons, is only experienced in temperate regions like in northern Asia, Europe, the United States, and Australia. Their summers are characterized by warm temperatures and dry conditions. Astronomically, summers have significantly longer daytimes than night times. — Joel Locsin/TJD/NB, GMA News