Weather TALK [forecasts, etc]

[Jun aka Pekto]

good thing we have these alternate weather forecasting sources other than PAGASA. most probably sa above sources din nakuha ng PAGASA yung dalawang possible weather disturbances this week. Less than 24 hours lang ang PAGASA warning of the storm 'Ondoy' to hit Central Luzon and there was no wide area flooding forecast for greater Metro Manila. Please note the weather news last Sept. 25, Friday from GMA 7 (HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY):


PAGASA cannot be considered as weather 'forecaster' or even weather 'newscaster'. better kung weather 'history-caster'

I don't know if this is the proper thread to express disappointment with PAGASA.

Don't be too quick to blame PAGASA. I noticed quite an improvement in their METAR observations and forecasts compared to a few years ago. You can't blame the agency if they have no forecast models of their own. But, I believe their forecasters are as capable as other forecasters in interpreting and using model data from other countries. Having their own forecast models cost a lot of money which the PH government aren't going to fund. A few hours ago, I did a quickie forecast for Manila and I arrived at a similar forecast as the forecaster at the Manila Airport (RPLL). To me, they have more capable people now. But, they still lack many tools they need.

For example, I can't find any Philippine Skew-T data. That means PAGASA probably do not have rawinsonde instruments to launch (weather balloons). Skew-Ts (data from the vertical soundings taken by rawinsonde) are very important, at least to me.

Even FNMOC (USN) and the Japanese weather agency also have their own missed/lousy forecasts.