NOTES IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Climate of the Philippines

The Climate of the Philippines is tropical and maritime. It is characterized by relatively high temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. It is similar in many respects to the climate of the countries of Central America. Temperature Based on the average of all weather stations in the Philippines, excluding Baguio, the mean annual temperature is o o 26.6 C. The coolest months fall in January with a mean temperature of 25.5 C while the warmest month occurs in o May with a mean temperature of 28.3 C. Latitude is an insignificant factor in the variation of temperature while altitude shows greater contrast in temperature. Thus, the mean annual temperature of Baguio with an elevation of 1,500 meters is 18.3oC. This makes the temperature of Baguio comparable with those in the temperate climate and because of this, it is known as the summer capital of the Philippines. There is essentially no difference in the mean annual temperature of places in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao at or near sea level. Humidity Humidity refers to the moisture content of the atmosphere. Due to high temperature and the surrounding bodies of water, the Philippines has a high relative humidity. (Note: when it is raining the RH is 100%) The average monthly relative humidty varies between 71 percent in March and 85 percent in September. The combination of warm temperature and high relative and absolute humidities give rise to high sensible temperature throughout the archipelago. It is especially uncomfortable (mabanas) during March to May, when temperature and humidity attain their maximum levels. Rainfall Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the Philippines. Rainfall distribution throughout the country varies from one region to another, depending upon the direction of the moisture-bearing winds and the location of the mountain systems. The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies from 965 to 4,064 millimeters annually. Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao receive the greatest amount of rainfall while the southern portion of Cotabato receives the least amount of rain. At General Santos City in Cotabato, the average annual rainfall is only 978 millimeters. The Seasons Using temperature and rainfall as bases, the climate of the country can be divided into two major seasons: (1) the rainy season, from June to November; and (2) the dry season, from December to May. The dry season may be subdivided further into (a) the cool dry season, from December to February; and (b) the hot dry season, from March to May. Climate Types Based on the distribution of rainfall, four climate types are recognized, which are described as follows:

Typhoons have a great influence on the climate and weather conditions of the Philippines. A great portion of the rainfall, humidity and cloudiness are due to the influence of typhoons. They generally originate in the region of the Marianas and Caroline Islands of the Pacific Ocean which have the same latitudinal location as Mindanao. Their movements follow a northwesterly direction, sparing Mindanao from being directly hit by majority of the typhoons that cross the country. This makes the southern Philippines very desirable for agriculture and industrial development. Following are definitions of some common terms used in various issuances such as forecasts and advisories. Weather the specific conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. It is measured in terms of such parameters as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness and precipitation. In most places, weather can change from hour to hour and season to season. the average weather and its long term variability over a particular place and time (say a month, a season, a year or several years). refers to the fluctuations / variations of climate observed since the instrumental period (i.e., 1860 to present). These fluctuations are due to natural causes and to human activities. a division of the year according to some regularly recurent phenomena, usually astronomical or climatic. In the tropics, precipitation is the primary factor; thus, nearly all regions have their rainy season and dry season. the average value of a meteorological element over any fixed period of years that is recognized as standard for a country and element concerned; usually a 30-year period as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). the deviation of (usually) temperature or precipitation from the normal values in a given region over a specified period. locally known as "Amihan". It affects the eastern portions of the country from October up to late March, starts over Siberia as a cold, dry air mass but gathers moisture as it travels across the Pacific Ocean before reaching the eastern sections of the Philippines is characterized by widespread cloudiness with rains and showers. The North Pacific Trades gradually replaces the NE Monsoon in March, appears in all seasons and blows dominantly from March to April, giving strong convective activity. locally known as "Habagat", it affects the country from July to September, is very warm and humid, occurs when warm moist air flows over the country from the southwest direction, is characterized by heavy rainfall that may last for a week. It brings the rainy season to the western portion of the country.

Climate

Climate Variability

Season

Normal (climatological normal)

Anomaly (departure from normal) NE Monsoon

SW Monsoon

Linear Systems Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Description Result of the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere tradewind convergence Front boundary of 2 air masses, found in midlatitudes Wavelike perturbations embedded in the easterly current

Associated Weather

Period

Migratory, depending on Widespread cloudiness, occasional thunderthe time of the year storms, precipitation, moderate to strong surface winds Rainfall and cloudiness over affected areas Northern portion of the country during the Northern Hemisphere winter season More frequent during the transition period

Tail-end of Cold Front

Easterly Waves

cloudiness and precipitation in eastern coastal portions

Tropical Cyclone Intensity / Category Intensity / Category Tropical Depression Tropical Storm Typhoon Super Typhoon Maximum Winds Between 35 KPH and 64 KPH near the center Between 65 KPH and 118 KPH near the center 119 to 200 KPH near the center Maximum winds greater than 200 KPH

Lecture Notes for Instructional Purpose only. Prepared by: N.R. Bautista Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Rizal Technological University, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines 2012