Stormy Weather Gallery

Weather Forecasting in the Philippines

Some provinces in the Philippines are fortunate when the weather takes a turn for the worse. They are given ample warning since storm effects will hit the Pacific Ocean facing provinces first before it can reach them. Those who have many mouths to feed must wring a living from the sea despite warnings but blue water fishermen scoot for the shore fast when the wind rises. Some do not go to sea at all. Those ashore have ample time to batten down before the winds arrive.

Others are not so fortunate. They are washed away by flashfloods or buried by landslides. Some get caught in the open sea. They are either marginal fishermen or ship passengers whose ships had sailed expecting to make the port before the storm hits. Fishermen rely on radio and TV news for weather forecasts while ships rely on the PAGASA, the Philippine Weather Bureau. The reports seem to be not up to date since there are those who were caught by surprise.

Ever since, man has to protect himself and his possession from the weather. However, there is no such thing as sure protection, there is only forecasting so he can do something to make himself and his property safe. Though the eleven nations composing the International Geophysical Cooperation say that weather forecasting cannot still be highly accurate, it can still be predictable within limits. That means during adverse condition, the weather must be observed closely so abrupt changes may be broadcasted immediately.

The doomed Princess if the Stars ship sailed thinking that her sailing route was well away from the typhoon path. The storm veered abruptly and wrecked the ship. The tragedy was blamed on the PAGASA but the weather bureau said that it does not have the facilities for monitoring the progress of the storm. Until now any disaster caused by the weather is blamed on the PAGASA but their instruments are obsolete and their organization is non existent.

Since weather knows no boundaries, nations had cooperated in sharing weather information. We do not have a geosynchronous weather satellite but we can have international reports of the nations in or bordering the Pacific. We can also have weather reports of the incoming and outgoing international pilots. But that information can only give us the weather picture away from the Philippines. Once the weather enters our area of responsibility weather reports slow down.

The PAGASA director said their equipment is obsolete so they cannot closely monitor conditions here. Storms entering the Philippines follow the general direction of southeast to northwest route. However, it may be diverted by atmospheric pressures over the country causing to veer from the predicted path. Without weather reports updated by the hour during storms, changes of direction cannot be accurately predicted. The weather bureau would need the hourly reports of digital barometers, wind gages and wind vanes, thermometers, and hygrometers strategically places all over the country.

Properly interpreted and recorded, the readings would not only locate the precise location of the storm but also provide a fairly accurate and timely prediction of the path of the turbulence. The isobaric map would show high and low pressure areas that would possibly affect the progress of the storm so hourly information could be reported. For data gathering and information dissemination the Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard facilities of National Defense may be utilized.

As had been said before, there is no real protection of lives and property against storms. Relatively accurate forecasting could institute damage prevention activities. Having our own geosynchronous weather satellite is out of the question. For reasonably accurate forecasting, proper and up to date equipment must be purchased and installed.

Typhoon is either a weekly or a monthly reality in the Philippines, the country being located east of the Pacific Ocean. Maybe in the future, a software can be installed in one’s computer and it will make realistic predictions of storm paths.