Hail normal during thunderstorms – PAGASA
POSTS on social media expressing surprise went viral after hail rained on many towns like Bayambang, Basista, and some in eastern Pangasinan during a thunderstorm.
PAGASA assured residents that seeing hail is normal during thunderstorms.
Gener Quitlong, weather specialist of the PAGASA Agno River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (ARBFFWC), said hailstorms are normal when updrafts in the thunderstorm force raindrops further up in the atmosphere to freeze.
“Normal lang ang pag-ulan ng yelo sa mga lugar na natatapatan o overhead ng pinaka-base ng thunderstorm,” he said.
Since Philippines has a warm climate, hailstorms have time to disintegrate because the size of a hail is much smaller than in other countries with lower temperature.
Meanwhile, Quitlong said the country is nearing monsoon break, where weather can be expected to be sunny and warm during the day but thunderstorms, however, may still occur during the afternoon or evening.
He also warned that El Niño is already felt in the Tropical Pacific and currently weak but said is showing signs of strengthening in the months ahead.
El Niño phenomenon increases the chances of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring severely negative impacts in many areas including Pangasinan. Yet on the other hand, the effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) may be enhanced and result in above-normal rainfall conditions in Pangasinan.
El Niño effects will be felt in the Philippines as early as October, and is expected until the first half of 2024. (Ahikam Pasion)
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