Pagasa gives advance warning of two tropical cyclones that could hit Philippines in December

MANILA, Philippines— Up to two tropical cyclones may hit the country next month as the La Nina season continues, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

According to inquirer.net, one to two tropical cyclones may form during the month of December.

Odette and Paulo

They will be named Odette and Paulo. Based on our Climatology Division, it is likely that these tropical cyclones entering our area of responsibility will make landfall, said Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja.

He added that there is a low chance of a tropical cyclone entering the country during the weekend or until the end of November.

“For the first quarter of next year, such as January, February or March, our best case is that we don’t experience any tropical cyclone and the worst case is one tropical cyclone for each month,” Estareja said.

He noted that the Philippines is currently experiencing a “weak” La Nina season, which has an 80% chance of lasting until the first quarter next year.

The state weather bureau has said that La Nina is typically associated with above-normal rainfall conditions in many parts of the country during the last quarter of the year and early months of the following year.

According to Estareja, the onset of La Nina may bring more rainfall in the eastern section of Luzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Panay Island, Negros, Cebu, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, and Bukidnon in December.

Other parts of the country are likely to experience normal rainfall during this period, he added.