PAGASA: Expect 3-4 'meaner' cyclones in October

As October nears, Filipinos may have to brace for "meaner" cyclones that will likely hit the country instead of just passing through Philippine territory. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Elvie Enriquez said they expect "three to four" cyclones in October. "This time, lalo na sa ngayon tinatawag nating nasa transition period tayo, magpapalitn ng hangin at tutungo na yan sa hanging amihan (northwest winds), kalimitan sa bagyo biglang tatama na," she said in an interview on dzBB radio. (This time, we are in a transition from the southwest winds to the northwest winds. Coming cyclones will directly affect the country rather than just pass far from the Philippine territory.) While Enriquez said there is no weather disturbance near the country for now, the next cyclone to enter or to form inside Philippine territory will be code-named "Juan." She said PAGASA expects "three to four" cyclones to pass through the country in October. Meanwhile, Enriquez said rains over Metro Manila are likely to be short in the coming days. [Do you live in a flood-prone area? What are the nearest evacuation centers to your house? Find out using our interactive flood map of Metro Manila.] "Pag dagli lang, ang pinakamahaba ang isang oras (Rains will likely be short, lasting one hour at most)," she said. Meanwhile, PAGASA said an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, it said Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. — LBG, GMANews.TV