Science

Quarter 2–Module 5:
TRACING THE PATH OF TYPHOONS

• The Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is an area in the Northwestern Pacific where PAGASA, the
Philippines' national meteorological agency monitors weather occurrences. Significant weather disturbances, specifically
tropical cyclones, that enter or develop in the PAR are given Philippine-specific names.
• The exact dimensions of this domain are the area of the Western North Pacific bounded by imaginary lines connecting
the coordinates: 5°N 115°E, 15°N 115°E, 21°N 120°E, 25°N 135°E and 5°N 135°E.

• Tropical cyclones form only over warm ocean waters near the equator. The warm, moist air over the ocean
rises upward from near the surface.
• The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones due to its geographical location which generally produce heavy rains,
flooding of large areas and also large scale-winds. That’s why it moves in a northwest direction.
• On average, the country is frequented by 20 tropical cyclones annually, almost half of which made landfall.

• Low pressure started out in the Pacific area. Because, it was just a low-pressure area, it was not given a name.
Then it intensified into a tropical depression. Again it was not yet given a name because it was still outside the PAR.

• When it finally entered the PAR, it had already strengthened into a tropical storm. Since it is within the PAR, PAGASA
gave it a name from its prepared list.

• The name of the Storms depends on the year when it was formed. There are already assigned names of Typhoons
every year and it changes every four years because there are 4 columns of Typhoon names that is used. It can be
found at www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/learning-tools/philippine- tropical-cyclone-names

• The tropical cyclones when it reaches land, they die out because they are cut off from the warm ocean waters that
keep them going.

• It is important to be aware, monitor and track a tropical storm in order to predict possible affected areas and be
prepared and ready ahead of time. This will lessen loss or save lives and properties. Being aware of any information
about the weather will be useful to plan ahead especially for stormy weather. This is a must in order to survive.

Are you Prepared?

When a tropical cyclone enters the PAR and it is on its way toward land, warning signals are issued. The
following signals are used by PAGASA to warn people about the approaching weather disturbance. Do you
know what the signals mean?