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Christine Boton - The Philippine Star
December 6, 2025 | 12:00am
Motorists and commuters experience heavy downpour near LRT Carriedo Station in Quiapo, Manila on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
The Philippine STAR / Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — Most parts of the country may experience above-normal rainfall through February 2026 as a weak and short-lived La Niña continues to develop in the tropical Pacific, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported yesterday.
The agency said La Niña conditions have already emerged, characterized by cooling sea surface temperatures in the central and equatorial Pacific.
“Since September 2025, the sea surface temperatures in the central and equatorial Pacific started to decrease and further declined in November, reaching a weak La Niña threshold,” PAGASA explained.
PAGASA noted that several climate models indicate that La Niña will continue through the December 2025 to February 2026 period.
The weather bureau said La Niña often leads to widespread above-normal rainfall from the end of the year through the months that follow.
With the current outlook, PAGASA warned of “higher chances of above-normal rainfall in the December 2025 to February 2026 season which may cause floods, flashfloods and rain-induced landslides.
Furthermore, an increased chance of tropical cyclone activity within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) during the period is likely.”
Wilma affects Philippine
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that as of noon yesterday, more than 7,000 passengers were stranded in various seaports nationwide due to Tropical Depression Wilma.
Data from the PCG showed that 7,292 passengers, truck drivers and cargo helpers were unable to travel, along with 2,448 rolling cargoes, 98 vessels and 34 motorized boats.
A total of 172 vessels and 56 motorized boats were also forced to take shelter because of the tropical depression.
The disruption affected 79 ports across Southern Tagalog, Northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Southern Visayas, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and Western Visayas.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)reported that no flights have been canceled, although wind cones and runway markers in airports were temporarily removed as a precaution.
CAAP said its emergency preparedness measures under Oplan Storm remain activated.
Police units in the Visayas and Mindanao are also on alert and ready for disaster-response operations in areas likely to be affected by Wilma.
Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police commanders to coordinate with local government units and relevant agencies to prepare for the storm.
The Department of Health, meanwhile, has prepositioned nearly P482,000 worth of health emergency supplies in Bicol province. — Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos
