Hydro-Meteorological Hazards

In the Philippines &

Improved Warnings on Tropical Cyclone
Camp Coordination & Camp
Management Training

Presented by:

Rafael Vincent F. Mooney

Research & Planning Officer
The Weather and Climate Authority
 as the
HILIPPINE
National Meteorological
TMOSPHERIC, and Hydrological
EOPHYSICAL & Services (NMHS) of the
STRONOMICAL Philippines is the
“authoritative” voice
ERVICES
in providing the warning
DMINISTRATION for public safety

The Philippines, through the PAGASA, is a Member of the

World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a
specialized body of the United Nations

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 VPRSD LOCATION OF STATIONS LEGEND:
PRSD Office
SYNOP Synoptic
1. Mactan Station
2. Tagbilaran Upper Air
3. Dumaguete Radar
4. Guiuan FFC
5. Catbalogan Agromet
Agromet
6. Tacloban
7. Borongan
8. Maasin
9. Roxas
10. Iloilo
(Closed)
11. Puerto
Princesa
12. Cuyo
13. Coron
14. PAGASA
Is.
AGROMET UPPER-AIR RADAR
15. San Jose
1. Mambusao 1. Mactan 1.Mactan
2. La Granja 2. Pto Princesa 2.Guiuan
3. Dumangas 3. Guiuan 3.Iloilo
4. VSU-Baybay 4.Quezon, Palawan
5. SPCP-Aborlan
4 – NL PRSD
2 – NCR PRSD
PAGASA Radar Network
1 – SL PRSD BASCO
4 – VIS PRSD 13 Doppler Weather
2 – MIN PRSD Radars (Operational)
2 Doppler Weather
Radars (On-going)
APARRI
BAGUIO 4 Doppler Weather
AGNO Radars (Future)
BALER
BALER
SUBIC

TAGAYTA DAET
Y VIRAC
BUSUANGA
LAOANG

GUIUAN
ILOILO
MACTAN
QUEZON BOHOL

HINATUAN

ZAMBOANGA
TAMPAKAN
UNDERSTANDING
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL
HAZARDS

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 THUNDERSTORMS
WEATHER-
CAUSING MONSOONS
PHENOMENA
IN THE COLD FRONTS
PHILIPPINES INTERTROPICAL
AND ITS CONVERGENCE
ASSOCIATED ZONE (ITCZ)
HAZARDS
TROPICAL
CYCLONES
THUNDERSTORM
• A localized (small scale)
storm with massive
cumulonimbus clouds
producing lightning and
thunder, and often brings
heavy rainfall, or hail, as well
as strong, gusty winds.
• Most frequent during the
period from May to
September and are most
common in the mid-
afternoon when the surface
temperatures are the warmest.
PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
Cloud that produces Thunderstorm is the
Cumulonimbus Cloud
12,000 m

9,000 m

6,000 m

3,000 m

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

Cumulonimbus cloud
How does a thunderstorm develops ?
A given cell of a thunderstorm undergoes three
( 3 ) stages :
1. INITIAL OR CUMULUS STAGE
When the sun heats the earths surface, the ground warms the air
above it. The warm air rises and water vapor condenses to a towering
cumulus cloud which could reach as high as 8 – 10 kilometers in height.
 2. MATURE STAGE
It is at these stage that the cloud can cause HEAVY PRECIPITATION,
SEVERE LIGHTNING, STRONG WINDS, HAIL and at times, TORNADOES. The
thunderstorm is strongest towards the end of the mature stage.
3. DISSIPATING STAGE

In this stage, RAINFALL DECREASES IT’S

INTENSITY AND CLOUDS BEGIN TO DISSIPATE.

After the rain ceases during the passage of a

thunderstorm, we can feel a very fresh air to
breath, because the pollutants in the air are being
washed out; and is called, the nature’s way of
ATMOSPHERIC BRUSHING .
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF AN
IMPENDING THUNDERSTORM ?
 TOWERING CUMULUNIMBUS CLOUD
 DARKENING SKIES
 FLASHES OF LIGHTNING AND
GUSTY WINDS
 SOUND OF THUNDER, and
 STATIC ON YOUR AM RADIO
1. HEAVY RAINFALL
Excessive rains can produce
flash floods/ floods which can
change small creeks into
raging floodwaters, sweeping
over structures along its path.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
2. TORNADO
• A localized windstorm
characterized by a
visible funnel-shaped,
rapidly whirling
cloud that extends
from the base of a
dark –cumulonimbus
cloud.
• Whirling winds are
estimated to exceed
450 km/hr and may
last for a few
minutes
• Most injuries and
deaths result from
flying debris.
PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 * TORNADO acts like a giant vacuum cleaner, sucking and carrying aloft
objects along it’s path such as trees, structures or debris, jumping across the
ground in a narrow erratic movement.

* It can strike anytime at the day, but are much more frequent in the afternoon
and evening. It may also develop when there are Tropical Cyclones.
* Most of the damage come from it’s extreme winds. Wind speeds are
estimated to exceed 450 km/hr and may lasts for a few minutes. Whenever
a TORNADO strikes, it can leave a mark of destruction.
* TORNADOES are often obscured by rain or dust.
3. LIGHTNING
During the development of a large cumulonimbus
cloud, a separation of charge occurs.
Lightning is a visible
electrical discharge due
to high voltage
differences that build
up within the cloud
or between the rain
cloud and the ground
below.
House made of light materials burned
due to Lightning in KANANGA, LEYTE.
STRIDE Survey Picture

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
Forked Lightning Sheet Lightning Ball Lightning
Crooked lightning Clouds, rain blocks On rare occasions,
bolts discharge from forked lightning bolt, small glowing balls
cloud to ground or but flash illuminates loops from the cloud,
cloud to air clouds. but quickly vanish.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
 KON HA IMO PAMATI NANININDOG
AN IMO MGA BUHOK

POYDE KA TAMAAN HAN KIDLAT,

TUNGOD INI HAN DAMO NGA
ELECTRIC CHARGE PARTICLES
DIDA HAN IMO PWESTO

Lightning struck the spot where this

woman was standing minutes
after she left.
(Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
LIGHTNING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Go inside a house made of non-combustible
material or large building, if you can.
• Avoid using electrical appliances such as
telephones, computers, or television sets.
• If stuck outside, do not take shelter under a
tall, isolated tree.
• Stay away from bodies of water.
• If you are trapped in an open field and you feel
your hair stand on end, lightning is about to
strike. Do not lie flat on the ground.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS NO SHELTER AND YOU
ARE CAUGHT IN A THUNDERSTORM?

Lightning safety experts have invented a

"lightning safety position" that is very
important to know if you are caught in a
thunder storm and you can't find a
shelter. This position looks hard, but it
could save your life. There are several
reasons for doing it.
 It makes you a smaller target.
 You put your hands over your ears to
protect them from thunder.
 With your heels together, if lightning hits
the ground, it goes through the closest foot,
up to your heel and then transfers to the
other foot and goes back to the ground
again. If you don't put your feet together,
lightning could go through your heart and
kill you.
4. HAIL
Hailstones are ice crystals
falling from a thunderstorm
cloud.

Hailstorm over Masambong,

Quezon City
March 14, 2013

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
Sample pictures of hail

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
MONSOONS
southwest direction

SOUTHWEST MONSOON (HABAGAT)

• Seasonal winds blowing from the southwest direction.
• It causes extensive cloud development and rainfall
at the western sections of the country.
• Occurs during the months of June to October each year.
PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
MONSOONS
northeast direction

NORTHEAST MONSOON (AMIHAN)

• Seasonal winds blowing from the northeast direction.
• It causes cloud development and rainfall at the
eastern sections of the country.
• It normally occurs during the months of November to
February each year.
PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
COLD FRONT
• Characterized
largely by an
increased
cloudiness and
heavy rains
• Affects the
Philippines from
November to
February
• Eastern part of the
country receives
most of the
associated rainfall

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
ALONG THE FRONT, CLOUDS DEVELOP
C
BRINGING RAIN

O
L
D

WARM AIR
F RISES
Cold Air
R Mass
O
N COLD AIR
T SINKS
 Tail End of a Cold Front

Animated Satellite Picture of a Cold Front

Affecting the Northern Part of the Philippines
INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE
ZONE (ITCZ)
Series of low
pressure areas
brought about
by converging
Northeast (NE)
and Southeast
(SE) trade
L L L
L winds that
cause
thunderstorms
and rain-
showers.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 Hazards Associated with
Intertropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ)
• Showers to heavy rains which may cause
flashflood or flooding
• Widespread thunderstorms
• Breeding ground of tropical cyclones
• It oscillates over the Philippines during the
month of May and October

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 TROPICAL CYCLONE
P A R LINE

P
A
R
P
L
A
I R
N L
E
I
P A R LINE N
E

A weather disturbance with low pressure

characterized by very strong winds blowing counter-
clockwise, heavy rainfall and even tornadoes.
PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
• The Philippines ranks 2nd as the most
exposed and at risk country to natural hazards
(World Risk Report 2014)
• On the average 20 Tropical Cyclones in a year

Because of Global Warming this could mean much

stronger and more intense tropical cyclones.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 TROPICAL CYCLONE
 It is a low pressure system
 Characterized by winds spiralling inward
in a counter-clockwise direction (in
Northern Hemisphere)
 Originates from tropical oceans
 Wind speed ranges from 45 kph to about
300 kph
 Its diameter ranges from 300 to 1,000
kms in diameter
1. STRONG WIND
• Maximum wind speeds in a
tropical cyclone may even
reach beyond 250 kph in
extreme cases (more than 3x
the average speed of vehicles).
• Structural damage is one of its
most disastrous effects.
• The areas most prone to
stronger winds are located
along the eastern seaboard of
the Philippines.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 2. HEAVY RAINS/FLOOD/
FLASH FLOOD • Continuous heavy
rainfall can produce
severe flooding and
may cause damage to
agriculture,
infrastructures and
community lifelines.
• Ground water may be
contaminated by
floodwaters and may
lead to the outbreak
and spread of
UERM Hospital, During the passage of TS Ondoy Sep. 26, 2009
Courtesy: YouTube
diseases.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
3. STORM SURGE
• The abnormal rise in
sea level causing big
waves at the coast as
the tropical cyclone
approaches and hit
land or made landfall.
• It can engulf low-lying
coastal communities
and can also bring
destruction to natural
and man-made
structures, especially
if they coincide with
the occurrence of
high tide.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
4. LANDSLIDE/MUDFLOW
• Continuous heavy rains
over hilly or
mountainous areas,
especially denuded
ones, usually result to
landslides or mudflows.
• Landslides can bury
people alive and destroy
their properties.
• Mudflows/
mudslides, like
landslides are
hazards to
people’s lives
and properties.
St. Bernard Landslide

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
Philippine Area of Responsibility

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

NAMES OF TROPICAL CYCLONE IN THE PHILIPPINES
I II III IV
2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016
2017 2018 2019 2020
2021 2022 2023 2024
A AURING AGATON AMANG AMBO
B BISING BASYANG BETTY BUTCHOY
C CRISING CALOY CHEDENG CARINA
D DANTE DOMENG DODONG DINDO
E EMONG ESTER EGAY ENTENG
F FERIA FLORITA FALCON FERDIE
G GORIO GLENDA GORING GENER
H HUANING HENRY HANNA HELEN
I ISANG INDAY INENG IGME
J JOLINA JOSE JENNY JULIAN
K KIKO KANOR KABAYAN KAREN
L LANNIE LUIS LANDO LAWIN
M MARING MARIO MARILYN MARCE
N NANDO NENENG NONOY NINA
O ODETTE OMPONG ONYOK OFEL
P PAOLO PAENG PERLA PEPITO
Q QUEDAN QUEENIE QUIEL QUINTA
R RAMIL RUBY RAMON ROLLY
S SALOME SENIANG SARAH SIONY
T TINO TOMAS TISOY TONYO
U URDUJA USMAN URSULA ULYSSES
V VINTA VENUS VIRING VICKY
W WILMA WALDO WENG WARREN
Y YASMIN YAYANG YOYOY YOYONG
Z ZORAIDA ZENY ZIGZAG ZOSIMO
PAGASA launches expanded cyclone
warning system
May 20, 2015 1:12pm

Tropical Depression (TD): a tropical cyclone with

maximum sustained winds of up to 61 kph

Tropical Storm (TS): a tropical cyclone

with maximum wind speed of 62 to 88 kph

Severe Tropical Storm (STS): a tropical cyclone with

maximum wind speed of 89 to 117 kph

Typhoon (TY): a tropical cyclone with maximum

wind speed of 118 to 220 kph

Super Typhoon (STY): a tropical cyclone with maximum wind

speed greater than 220 kph
THE NEW PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

PSWS LEAD TIME WIND (kph) IMPACTS OF THE WIND

(hours)

1 36 30-60 No damage to very light

damage
2 24 61-120 Light to moderate damage

3 18 121-170 Moderate to heavy damage

4 12 171-120 Heavy to very heavy damage

5 12 More than Very heavy to widespread

220 damage
 PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
 This period is the peak of
the SW monsoon. Strong
SW influence T.C.
movement to the
Northwest or over the
Northern/ Extreme
Northern Luzon.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
The period covers the first half
of the NE monsoon season.
Tracks of tropical cyclone during
this period are likely across
central and southern parts of
Luzon, and Visayas with
secondary tracks over Northern
Mindanao.

PAGASA Payong
PAGASA
The Weather and Climate Authority
STAGES OF TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING
 Weather Advisory – the cyclone is still too far
from the country to pose a threat in the next three
(3) days. Issued once a day at 5 PM
 Severe Weather Bulletin
* Tropical Cyclone Alert – tropical cyclone poses
an impending threat on a part of the country but
fall short of the basis for raising storm signal.
Issued twice a day at 11 AM and 11 PM
* Tropical Cyclone Warning – there is immediate
threat in a particular part of the country. Issued 4
times a day at 5 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM, and 11 PM.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

MGA DAPAT TANDAAN
KAPAG MAY BAGYO NA
PAPALAPIT SA INYONG
LUGAR
Kung nasa Manila ka at
nabalitaan mo na may
paparating na bagyo at plano
mong magbakasyon sa
Kabisayaan o Mindanao huwag
mo ng ituloy dahil pagdating
mo sa Matnog, Sorsogon ay:
“STRANDED KA “
Dapat may handang radyo
na de baterya para
masubaybayan ang lagay
ng panahon.

(Naglalabas ang PAGASA ng Weather Bulletin sa

mga sumusunod n oras, 5 am; 11 am; 5 pm;
11 pm)
Maghanda ng Flashlight/baterry o lampara
o re-chargeable lamp para may liwanag sa
oras na lumakas ang hangin at mawalan ng
suplay ng kuryente
Sa mga maglalayag sa dagat at mga mangingisda
“huwag” pumalaot kung may nakataas na Storm Signal.
Sa mga nakatira malapit
sa mga punong kahoy
putulin ang mga sanga na
malapit sa bahay
Ilagay sa ligtas na lugar ang
mga alagang hayop
 SA MGA NAKATIRA MALAPIT SA GILID NG
BUNDOK
Tandaan na ang malakas na
pag-ulan sa maghapon ay
puedeng magdulot ng -
“landslide”
Maging handa lalo na kung
ang lugar mo ay nasa ilalim
ng Storm Warning Signal

Bgy. Londres, Allen, N.

Samar
 OF

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

Rainfall increases groundwater and the water levels of
dams that provide drinking water, irrigation water and
power generation.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
Rains mean water for plants.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

Decreases the level of pollutants.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
Typhoon Reming (Durian) November
30, 2006
Unfortunately, “Early Warning System” &
Disaster awareness sell themselves only
AFTER disaster strikes a community!!
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical