EXPECT LOCALIZED THUNDERSTORMS TILL JUNE

THE worst is over in Pangasinan for the daily sizzling and gut-wrenching high heat index, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Gener Quitlong, PAGASA weather specialist, said the province will gradually cool down as the peak of the warm dry season is over, citing the localized thunderstorms being experienced today when these were not expected until the second half of May.

The early thunderstorms, Quitlong said, was a surprising development, but a welcome one because it lessens the high heat index.

Quitlong said if the localized thunderstorms continue to persist, along with the return of other significant weather systems like low pressure areas, intertropical convergence zones, or even typhoons, the onset of the rainy season may come earlier than expected too.

He said while the continuously recorded a consistent Dangerous 47 to 48 degrees Celsius heat index over the past weeks were already the highest that the province suffered, the province may still experience the same heat indices because the El Niño phenomenon will be reverting to neutral state from May to June.

“Inaasahan na ito na yung maximum heat index natin, at pababa na ito nang dahan-dahan,” he said.

Quitlong added that there is a 60-percent chance that La Niña will start in June to August, meaning higher volume of rain.

“Aasahan din natin na babagyuhin ang Ber months natin dahil sa La Niña,” he said, likening the situation to 2020 when  typhoons ‘Rolly’ and ‘Ullyses hit during the ‘Ber’ months.

Roger dela Cruz, a farmer in San Fabian town, says the nightly thunderstorms saved his crops.

The water level at the San Roque also increased, from 225 meters above sea level to 227.06. masl.  (Ahikam Pasion)

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