WEATHER SYSTEMS AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Weather System Icon General Description

Northeast Monsoon Cold winds blowing from the northeast direction. It causes cloud development
(Hanging Amihan) and rainfall at the eastern section of the country. It normally occurs during the
months of November to February.

Associated Hazard:

Heavy rainfall, flooding, widespread cloudiness and low atmospheric

temperature
Southwest Warm moist winds from the southwest causing rains over the western portion of
Monsoon (Hanging the country from May to September.
Habagat) Characterized by heavy rainfall that may last for a week. Brings rainy season to
the western portion of the Philippines.

Associated Hazard:

Widespread cloudiness, heavy rainfall and flooding

Intertropical Series of low pressure areas brought about by converging northeast (NE) and
Convergence Zone southeast (SE) winds that caused thunderstorm and rain showers prevalent
(ITCZ) during June October.

Associated Hazard:

Low atmospheric pressure, widespread cloudiness, heavy rains, flooding,

thunderstorms and tropical cyclones
Tail-End of Cold Extended zone of converging winds from east to northeast that often brings
Front thunderstorm and rainshowers.

Persists during the months of NE Monsoon (Hanging Amihan)

Associated Hazard:
Widespread cloudiness, heavy rainfall, flooding, and low atmospheric
temperature
Tropical Cyclone Refer to a tropical depression, tropical storm, typhoon or super typhoon.
(Bagyo) Characterized by very strong winds blowing counter clockwise, heavy rainfall,
even tornadoes and can generate storm surge in coastal areas.

Prevalent during the months of June to December.

Associated Hazards:

Low atmospheric pressure, widespread cloudiness, heavy rains, strong winds,

storm surges, floods, and land-slides

Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours

Tropical Cyclone Intermittent rains may be expected in at least 36 hours
Signal No. 1 Only very light or no damage may be sustained by areas affected.
(Tropical Wave Height: 1.25-4.0 meters (open sea)
Depression)
Tropical Cyclone Winds of 61 kph to 120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours
Signal No. 2 In general, winds may bring light to moderate damage to high-risk structures.
(Tropical Storm to Wave height: 4.1-14 meters (Open sea)
Severe Tropical Possible storm surge in coastal areas
Storm)

Tropical Cyclone Winds of 121 kph up to 170 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours
Signal No. 3 Storm surge possible at coastal areas
(Typhoon) Wave Height: 14 meters (open sea)
There may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium
construction

Tropical Cyclone Winds of 171 to 220 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours
Warning No. 4 Almost total damage to structures of light materials, especially in highly
(Typhoon) exposed coastal areas
Wave Height: >14 meters (open sea)
2-3 meters storm surge possible at coastal areas

Tropical Cyclone Very strong winds of more than 220 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.
Signal No. 5 (Super Almost total damage to structures of light materials, especially in highly
Typhoon) exposed coastal areas.
Wave height of more than 14 m in open sea
Storm surge of more than 3 meters is possible at coastal areas
A Super Typhoon will affect the locality
Easterlies (Hanging Warm winds blowing from the east that may bring cloudiness over the eastern
Silanganin) part of the country.

Prevalent during the transition period between the two monsoons (NE/SW),
April and October.

Associated Hazards:

Generally, no associated hazards.

High Pressure Area Areas of high pressure area characterized by light winds and clear skies.
(HPA)
Associated with good weather, could happen anytime of the year, but most
prevalent in Northern Luzon, during NE monsoon

Associated Hazards:

High atmospheric temperature

Ridge of High An extension of high pressure area characterized by light winds and clear skies.
Pressure Area
Associated Hazards:

High atmospheric temperature

Low Pressure Area Areas of lowest pressure characterized by cloudiness and rainshowers; areas
(LPA) where a tropical cyclone can form.

Associated Hazards:
Low atmospheric pressure, widespread cloudiness, heavy rains, flooding, and
tropical cyclones
Trough of Low An extension of a low pressure area where a tropical cyclone can form.
Pressure Area
Associated Hazards:
Low atmospheric pressure, widespread cloudiness, heavy rains, flooding, and
tropical cyclones

Localized A small-scale atmospheric disturbance produced from cumulonimbus clouds

Thunderstorm characterized by thunder, lightning and moderate to heavy rains.

Associated Hazards:

Thunder and lightning, heavy rains, tornado or water spout, hail/hail stones and
flooding