PAGASA predicts weaker frost in Cordillera due to El Niño

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ABUCAY, Bataan —The frost (andap) that affects farmlands in the Cordillera Region is expected to be weaker and brief due to the El Niño phenomenon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.

In an interview, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said frost is still possible despite the El Niño, as the Northwest Monsoon (Amihan) will bring cool winds.

"Possible, but mga panandalian lang siguro and reduced compared sa normal condition na walang El Nino o walang lamig," Servando told the media in Abucay, Bataan.

(Possible, but it will likely be brief and less intense compared to normal conditions without El Niño or cold weather.)

"[Reduced] in terms of number of days and hindi ganoon ka severe ang projection namin," he added.

(Reduced in terms of the number of days, and we project that it will not be as severe.)

PAGASA explained that frost forms when temperatures drop in the early morning, causing water vapor near the ground to freeze into ice crystals.

Frost is expected to occur more frequently in January in the Cordillera region.

This cause inconvenience to farmers as their crops will be destroyed because the formation of frost on vegetables means these are losing a source of water.

Also on Tuesday, PAGASA declared the onset of the Amihan season, which is expected to "become dominant over most parts of the country, bringing cooler weather, episodes of cold surges, and rough sea conditions."

In a separate interview, Servando explained that the Amihan will bring cool winds, but less rainfall is expected due to the El Niño.

Even with the prevailing El Niño, Servando said the country can still expect cool winds from November to January.

"Although we expect na relatively, compared to the temperature for the season — November, December, January — warmer than the normal," Servando said, "May mga araw din na malamig but hindi ganoon ka sustained."

(There are cool days, but it is not sustained)

Servando made the announcement at the sideline of the groundbreaking ceremony of the PAGASA Abucay Bataan Doppler Radar Station.—LDF, GMA News