The state weather bureau officially issued an El Niño alert on Wednesday, April 22, following the high probability that this phenomenon would develop from June to August and last until early 2027.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there is a 79 percent chance of El Niño during the specified period, or a situation wherein a drier-than-usual conditions, including dry spells and droughts in parts of the country, may happen.
It, however, said above-normal rainfall may still be experienced over the country's western section during the southwest monsoon or Habagat season.
El Niño is characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the Philippine Sea, and warmer-than-average SSTs in the Central and Eastern Equatorial Pacific. In a press conference, PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said the bureau is closely monitoring the developments so it could provide the necessary advisories to the public. He said the below-normal rainfall might affect several sectors, such as energy, agriculture, as well as water resources. In the same press conference, PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Analiza Solis said the bureau forecasts El Niño to start weak.*
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