PAGASA turns to impact-based weather forecasting

State weather bureau PAGASA is shifting its weather forecasting to show its impact, make it more understandable to the public and make them better prepared,  according to Joseph Morong's report on "24 Oras."

Under its current weather advisories during a typhoon, PAGASA makes known the its location, speed, strength of the wind, direction, and amount of rain it would bring.

Under the new warning system being tested, the possible effects of a typhoon or a monsoon will be highlighted.

“Unlike sa traditional na iniisyu natin na gaano kalakas ang bagyo, gaano siya kabilis mas madali siyang i-communicate kapag sinabi nating babaha dyan. Aling mga lugar babahain, gaano katakas ano’ng epekto nun, madidisrupt ba ‘yung transportation, madi-disrupt ba yung educational sector,” PAGASA Weather Division chief Jun Galang said.

The weather bureau, however, said the impact-based forecasting can only be applied during typhoons and southwest monsoons, not in thunderstorms that are becoming more frequent this rainy season.

“‘Yung mga shortlived pa sa ngayon. Hindi yan kasi naka-capture ng mga numerical models,” Galang said.

There will be red, orange, yellow, and green warnings to be raised depending on the expected impact of a typhoon and monsoon.

"Kung business as usual siya, ang green kasi usually business as usual siya," Galang noted.

PAGASA said it is testing the method in Metro Manila and Cebu as it only provides the data to local government units, adding it is still refining its data.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News