The weather bureau announced the start of the rainy season on Friday, and at the same time said tropical depression “Domeng” had intensified into a tropical storm that would bring rain to Luzon including Metro Manila.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Domeng was still not expected to hit land but it would enhance the southwest monsoon.
“The occurrence of widespread rainfall recorded in most Pagasa stations during the past few days due to the southwest monsoon [Habagat] confirms the onset of the rainy season over the western part of the country,” said Vicente Malano, Pagasa’s acting administrator.
Senior weather specialist Cris Perez said the weather bureau announced the start of the rainy season after the required amount of rainfall in the climate stations was met.
He said the western part of the country, including Metro Manila, will continue to experience scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms.
But the showers and thunderstorms may be followed by dry periods that could last for several days to two weeks,” Malano said.