PAGASA declares start of rainy season

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) – The rainy season has officially started in the country on Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA announced.

"The passage of Tropical Storm Dante and the occurrence of widespread rainfall monitored by PAGASA in the last five days for areas under Type I climate confirm the onset of the rainy season," PAGASA Administrator Vicente Malano said.

Climate Type I areas are mostly found in the western section of the country. They have two seasons: dry from November to April, and wet during the rest of the year, according to PAGASA.

The period of maximum rain in these areas is from June to September.

As the rainy season starts, PAGASA said intermittent rains associated with the southwest monsoon will affect Metro Manila and the western section of the country.

PAGASA added rainfall conditions will be high until July, but monsoon breaks may still occur for several days or weeks.

The declaration of the rainy season comes after 'Dante' re-entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Friday afternoon as a tropical depression. The weather disturbance is expected to leave PAR Saturday afternoon.