MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Saturday declared the start of the season of the southwest monsoon or habagat, following the presence of southwesterly winds over the country’s western section.
In a statement, the weather bureau said this could continue because of the recent development of tropical cyclone “Domeng” over the Philippine Sea.
“With the intrusion of westerly winds and the progression of the general meteorological pattern across the country, these developments suggest the start of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which is one of the precursors of the onset of the rainy season,” the weather bureau said.
As of 11 a.m. on Saturday, “Domeng,” a severe tropical storm, slightly intensified while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, with its center 970 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.
No storm signals have been hoisted as of this bulletin.
