EXPLAINER: How easterlies affect weather conditions in PH

For some Filipinos, especially during this dry season, the term "easterlies" may seem familiar.

Also known as the easterly trade winds or silanganin, the easterlies refer to winds that originate from the east, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

PAGASA explained that the easterlies bring warm and moist air from the Pacific Ocean.

The easterlies can be experienced throughout the year, but they are common during the dry season from March to May, PAGASA added.

While the easterlies typically bring warm and humid weather, the state weather bureau said that there are also instances when they cause rainfall and thunderstorms.

This is because the moisture carried by the easterlies moves from the sea up toward landmasses, such as the mountain ranges in the eastern part of the Philippines, PAGASA said.

Recent forecasts by PAGASA suggested that the easterlies would continue to affect much of the country, with several areas experiencing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.

The state weather bureau warned of possible flash floods and landslides in affected areas due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains. —VBL, GMA News