With shifting wind, PAGASA declares start of summer

With the northeast monsoon gone, Filipinos can now expect warmer days ahead as summer has officially begun, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday. PAGASA noted the temperature in most parts of the country has gradually risen, and wind direction has shifted from northeasterly to easterly and southeasterly. "The shift of wind pattern signifies the start of warmer days ahead. The associated weather condition will be generally good weather in most parts of the country aside from isolated to scattered afternoon rainshowers and thunderstorms particularly over Visayas and Mindanao due to the expected oscillation of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and passage of easterly wave," it said in a bulletin. Earlier, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon had kept it from officially announcing the start of summer. However, PAGASA said there are times that strong easterly wind will prevail particularly over Eastern Luzon and Visayas associated with moderate to rough coastal waters. It said the public may contact the duty forecaster of the Weather Division of PAGASA at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 928-2031 for more details. — KBK/HS, GMA News