Based on the latest runs from the GFS and ECMWF models, the northeast monsoon (amihan) is expected to surge again over Luzon by the end of this week -- inducing colder nights and mornings again!

It is expected to continue all throughout the first week of February and could "peak" by early of next month.

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Tonight, we issue a clarification on the viral "image" of Australian bushfires, which people share as a "photo" taken from the International Space Station (ISS).

It is understandable that the world is really concerned on the deadly bushfires in Australia, but just as a wild fire, fake news also burn across the net. Several articles and images were actually outdated or miscaptioned.

The circulating image is NOT actually a photo, but an enhanced graph showing the bushfire-affected areas in Australia from Dec. 5, 2019-January 5, 2020.

A closer look from the image will show the tell-tale signs that it is not really a photo taken from space: the islands surrounding Australia are missing, the clouds are not present, and intensity of bushfires makes them more of "pools of lava" rather than burning vegetation.

While the data comes from a credible source (NASA), the graph doesn't necessarily show the actual spatial extent of the wildfires and NOT all of those are currently burning.

"Given the nature of misinformation, it can spread wildly, much like bushfire can," - Dr Andrea Carson, Political Communication expert from La Trobe University

Here's how misinformation spread like wildfires.

Earth Shaker is an organization which aims to shake the appreciation of Earth Sciences in the society and empower citizens to have science-based decisions. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

https://www.windy.com/-Active-fires-fires?fires,2020010700,-30.069,122.476,4,internal

This year, tropical cyclones tend to avoid our country. Most of them turns to recurve and some were overforecast by different models. Here's our wrap-up for this year's season.

1. In terms of landfall - near below average

Only seven (compared to average of nine) tropical cyclones have made landfall in the Philippines this 2019. These are: Amang, Chedeng, Falcon, Jenny, Ramon, Tisoy and Ursula.

2. Overall - average

21 tropical cyclones formed/entered within the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) this year. Based on the climatological data of PAGASA, in average, 19 to 20 tropical cyclones enter or get developed within PAR.

3. Strongest - typhoon Hanna

Before it leaves PAR, typhoon Hanna intensified into an intense typhoon, with a 10-min sustained winds of 195 km/h. In JTWC's standard, it reached Category 4 super typhoon with 1-min winds of 240 km/h.

Though it didn't directly affect our country, it enhanced the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) that caused widespread heavy rains in parts of Luzon and Visayas.

4. Longest Stay in PAR - typhoon Ramon

Typhoon Ramon has stayed within PAR for 8 days! The storm formed from a low pressure area to a tropical depression at 8 a.m. on November 12, and has dissipated on November 20 at 2 p.m.

5. Deadliest - typhoon Ursula

As typhoon Ursula became the last tropical cyclone this year, it left catastrophic damages in the central Philippines this Christmas season, with 47 deaths and 9 remains missing.

6. Most number of landfalls - typhoon Ursula

1. 4:45 p.m. - Salcedo, E. Samar
2. 7:30 p.m. - Tacloban, Leyte
3. 9:30 p.m. - Cabucgayan, Biliran
4. 2:30 a.m. - Gigantes Is., Iloilo
5. 8:40 a.m. - Ibajay, Aklan
6. 1:00 p.m. - Caluya I., Antique
7. 3:00 p.m. - Bulalacao, Or. Mindoro

Sama-sama po tayong babangon ngayong 2020, sa kabila ng ating naranasang mga kalamidad ngayong 2019!

References: PAGASA, NDRRMC, JTWC, JMA, CNN Philippines

Earth Shaker is an organization which aims to shake the appreciation of Earth Sciences in the society and empower citizens to have science-based decisions. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

https://www.windy.com/-Satellite-satellite?satellite,8.451,119.949,5,internal

Newest data from NASA indicate that the global mean sea level rose by 41.8 mm this decade -- minimal as it seems, but can already have a big impact for those living in the coastlines or below sea level!

The decade started with 53.1 mm of sea level rise (as compared to 1993) and saw some fluctuations throughout the years, however, the trend consistently shows an increasing trend, and we're ending this decade with 94.9 mm.

It won't be surprising to see this number to breach 100-mm level in the early 2020's due to the continuous melting of the ice caps, thermal expansion, and other factors contributing to the sea level rise.

As an archipelagic country and with major cities located along the coast, the Philippines should really take note and prepare for this, especially if we go with business-as-usual activities.

Earth Shaker is an organization which aims to shake the appreciation of Earth Sciences in the society and empower citizens to have science-based decisions. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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