The Philippines just welcomed its first tropical storm of the year, named Ada (or Nokaen). This storm formed on Friday and has been headed north, bringing heavy rain—up to 200mm daily—and wind gusts reaching 65 mph.
Expected to stay a tropical storm until Tuesday, Ada may weaken as it interacts with the northeast monsoon. This could turn it back into a tropical depression, leading to more rain and wind later in the week. Areas on the coast are under alerts for storm surges of up to 2.2 meters and waves that could reach 5 meters high. Flooding, landslides, and lahars—the volcanic mudflows around Mayon volcano—are significant risks. These weather conditions have already caused travel disruptions, school closures, and power outages in affected areas.
Meanwhile, across the Mediterranean, another storm, named Harry by the Spanish meteorological service Aemet, is expected this week. Starting Monday, heavy rain will hit regions including Catalonia and southern Aragon, with 70mm forecast within 24 hours. Sicily and Calabria will face even heavier rain, with figures exceeding 100mm, prompting red weather warnings.
Strong winds in Malta are also on the horizon, with gusts reaching 60 mph and waves potentially hitting 11 meters. Just days before, Malta experienced damaging hailstorms, particularly in Rabat, where hailstones were notably large.
In Eastern Europe, the forecast isn’t much better. A cold snap is gripping the region, with temperatures 5-7°C below normal early this week. By later days, areas in Poland and Ukraine might experience chilling lows of -15°C to -18°C, significantly below seasonal averages.
These extreme weather events paint a picture of a changing climate. In the Philippines, storms linked to climate change are becoming stronger and more frequent, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Such patterns are drawing international attention, emphasizing the need for communities to prepare and adapt.
As weather patterns shift globally, it’s crucial to stay informed and ready for the impacts of these changes in our environment. For more detailed weather alerts, you can check PAGASA’s official site or local news outlets for updates.
