MANILA, Philippines, March 27 ----- State meteorologists on Thursday issued an El Niño Watch, indicating the increased likelihood that the weather phenomenon characterized by warming ocean temperatures will develop in the first third quarter of 2023.
An El Niño Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of El Niño within the next six months and the probability is above 55% and above. In a briefing, PAGASA said that El Niño "will likely develop in July-August-September 2023 season and may persist until 2024."
El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could lead to dry spells and droughts in some areas of the Philippines. However, above-normal rainfall conditions may be also experienced in the western part of the country during the southwest monsoon (habagat) season
The neutral phase of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) — or the recurring climate pattern across the tropical Pacific — is currently happening and will continue until June. The last El Niño event in the country occurred from the last quarter of 2018 to the third quarter of 2019.
Source: philstar.com