WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere in a particular place at a specific time.

Climate is the average weather condition in a region over a long or a number of years.

Meteorology is the scientific observation and study of the atmosphere so that weather
can be accurately forecast.

WATER CYCLE

1. evaporation

2. condensation

3. precipitation

Weather Disturbances

The Philippines is known for the many cyclones (or low pressure area) that come our
way. Our country is located in the North Pacific Ocean where the greatest number of
cyclones form. An average of 22 cyclones form in this area every year, about 19 of which
enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Kinds of Cyclones :

1. tropical depression – wind speed of less than 63kpph

2. tropical storm – wind speed of 63 to 118 kph

3. typhoon – wind speed of more than 118 kph

Naming of Tropical Cyclones

Prior to 1890, the worlds tropical cyclones were named arbitrarily. An, Atlantic
storm which dismasted a boat named “ Antje” in 1842 became “Antje’s hurricane”, A
typhoon which devastated Samar and Leyte on the 12th of October 1897 was called “ El
Baguio de Samar y Leyte” Before the end of the 19th Century, Clement Wragge, an
Australian

Weatherman, started giving tropical cyclones female names. Those which formed
elsewhere were given male names. Normally Wragge was said to bestow this honor upon
politicians who had incurred his disfavor.

In 1941, a storm was named after Maria in the novel “storm” by George B. Stewart.

Naming storms became quite popular in the United States during the Second World
War. A number of air force and navy weather forecaster gave their wives and girlfriends
the supposed distinction of having storms name after them.

In 1942, a storm was named after the President Truman by the U.S press and later in
the season another one was named after the president’s wife, Bess.

In July 1946, a rare case occurred where in three storms develop most
simultaneously in the western North Pacific basin where the Philippine territory is
located. Instead of names, all three were identified based on their location (latitude-
longitude). After sometime confusion prevailed over which storm was being reported.

Early the next year, forecasters decided to identify storms using name in
alphabetical order in which the first of the year will be dubbed Agnes, then Beverly ,
then Carmen, etc. Military communicators suggested female names for those forming in
the Northern Hemisphere and male names for those in the southern half.

Names issued by the US Air Force weather squadron statione in Guam was then
adopted by the Philippine Weather Service until 1963.
 Thus in the 1963 tropical cyclone season, the Philippine Weather Bureau adopted
four sets of Filipino women’s nickname ending in “ng” from A you Y to name all tropical
cyclones occurring within the Philippine area of responsibility.

These for groups of names have been prepared and arranged according to the Filipino
alphabet. Names from each set group is accompanied by an auxiliary list from A to G
just in case the number of tropical cyclones for the year always begin with A, the second
begins with letter B and so forth. The said system of naming tropical cyclone is quite
practical in many ways.

Name selected cannot be confused with American name – they being unique and
applicable only to Philippine Tropical Cyclones.

The Filipino names will indicate that the storm is within the forecast responsibility
of the Philippine Weather Bureau and would have a high probability of affecting the
Philippines.

The Filipino alphabet has 20 characters which is about the average number of
tropical cyclones occurring in the Philippine area of responsibility in a year. Hence, at
the end of the year one can tell the umber if storms occurring in the Philippine area of
responsibility in a year. Hence, at the end of the year one can tell whether the number of
storms occurring in the area is above or below normal by noting how far the name of
that last cyclone of the year was from the first letter of the alphabet. Further, the name
of the tropical cyclone will indicate how many cyclones have occurred within the area
since the start of the year. Thus, for 1993 typhoon Tasing will be the 16th tropical
cyclone of the year.

In February 1979, the names of extraordinarily destructive storms were retired or

decommissioned and a revised list of names for tropical cyclones entering the Philippine
area of responsibility was adopted. A tropical cyclone causing a total damage of one
billion pesos or greater and claiming three hundred or more lives was then classified as
destructive and consequently decommissioned. The said list was again revised in 1985 to
help minimize confusion in the historical records.
 Weather Advisory For Tropical Cyclones contains the general information on the
presence of a cyclone even if it is still too far away from the country to pose a threat in
the next three days. This gives the people ample time to become aware of a potential
threat.

When is it issued?

As soon as a severe weather system is detected and the forecaster decide that this might
affect the Philippines.

The advisory is issued once a day at 3:30 pm except for the initial issuance which may
come out anytime when the severe weather system is detected

The Weather Advisory For other Severe Weather System is an advisory for the
occurrence of monsoons, active low pressure area and a complex weather system which
is a combination of two or more iterating systems. These systems are capable of causing
floods because of the prolonged rains it may bring.

When is it issued?

There is, no lead time in these cases. It is issued only when there are indications that
the rain may prolong and capable of causing floods. The Advisory is issued once a day at
3:30 pm except for the initial issuance which may come out at any time when a severe
weather system is detected

SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN

A sever weather bulletin is of two levels:

a. Tropical Cyclone Alert

b. Tropical Cyclone Warning

A Tropical Cyclone Warning is the third stage of the cyclone warning. It indicates that
there is real and immediate cy lone threat to a part or parts of the country from a
cyclone. It provides detailed information about the tropical cyclone.

This includes a description of the cyclones current location, movement and

intensity. Further, it indicates the areas where public storm signals are in effect. Finally,
it advises the public to take appropriate safety. The warning includes a 24-hour forecast
or outlook that gives more details in terms of future cyclones location and movement
with respect to a particular area of reference.

When is it issued?

The warning is issued for times a day, at 5 AM, 11 AM , 5PM, 11Pm or at any time as
conditions warrant.