La Niña to persist until early 2026 – PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has announced the onset of a short-lived La Niña in the tropical Pacific, warning of above-normal rainfall, possible flooding, and heightened tropical cyclone activity in the coming months.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

According to PAGASA’s La Niña Advisory No. 1, issued on December 4 and signed by PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel T. Servando, recent oceanic and atmospheric measurements confirm that La Niña conditions have developed, with sea surface temperatures in the central and equatorial Pacific steadily cooling since September 2025.

By November, the temperatures had reached the weak La Niña threshold. “Based on the latest forecast, La Niña is likely to persist until the first quarter of 2026,” PAGASA said.