From Bagyo to Cyclone: Understanding weather terms in the Philippines versus Australia

There are differences in weather terms between Australia and the Philippines, but heavy rain and floods are equally dangerous, so it's important to be informed and stay safe.

Understanding weather bulletins from PAGASA in the Philippines and BOM in Australia is crucial for safety during storms, cyclones, and floods. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology / DOST- PAGASA

Key Points

• The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) refers to tropical storms as "bagyo," while the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) in Australia classifies them as "tropical cyclones" with different intensity categories.
• PAGASA issues "Yellow, Orange, and Red Rainfall Warnings" to indicate increasing flood risks, while BOM uses "Flood Watch, Minor, Moderate, and Major Flood Warnings" to alert the public about riverine and flash floods.
• In the Philippines, the typhoon season usually peaks from June to November, with PAGASA monitoring storms forming in the Pacific. In Australia, cyclone season runs from November to April, with BOM tracking tropical systems in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:

From Bagyo to Cyclone: Understanding weather terms in the Philippines versus Australia

SBS Filipino

10:41Filipino

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