Whither weather?

How about simplifying the rainfall flood warning system to numerical alerts, like the storm signals? Everyone has grown used to Signal Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Super Typhoon Yolanda was categorized as No. 4), and prepare accordingly -residents, government personnel, rescue and relief teams.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

After Yolanda struck in 2013, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration added a higher warning signal level to accurately depict its extreme ferocity. So PAGASA now has Signal No. 5 for cyclones with the strength of Yolanda, which flattened much of Eastern Visayas.

In 2022, the warning signal was again refined, to specifically denote sustained top wind speeds of approaching cyclones. So tropical cyclone bulletins now provide "wind signal" No. 1, 2, up to 5.

We understand what those signal numbers imply, and prepare accordingly, canceling classes or work, rescheduling meetings and trips, picking what to wear for the day. Evacuations may be conducted in coastal communities and known high-risk areas, such as those prone to landslides and, in Metro Manila, in informal settlements along riverbanks.

But most of us still don't make such responses to color-coded rainfall alerts.

Rain warnings are provided separately as part of weather advisories, to include thunderstorms and rainfall when there is no cyclone or strong wind warning.

This is common especially during monsoon season.

PAGASA issues regular rainfall alerts on its websites, with warnings on approaching rain, whether monsooninduced or spawned by a tropical cyclone. But how many people check the PAGASA website, especially on sunny days before the heavy rainfall arrives? Many vulnerable communities don't even have internet access, or lack gadgets to access the weather websites.

Also, the messaging can use fine-tuning.