Manuel, A., A.C. Blanco, O. Cabrera, and M.L. San Diego-McGlone. (2021). Mapping Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter in Manila Bay Using Sentinel-3 and WASI. The International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVI-4/W6-2021, 207–212. https://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-sci.net/XLVI-4-W6-2021/207/2021/

Yoneyama, K., M. Fujita, A. Seiki, R. Shirooka, S. Yokoi, E.O. Cayanan, C.O. Iglesia, O.C. Cabrera. (2021). Evaluation of LMS6 and RS41 Radiosonde Humidity Data Obtained during YMC-Boreal Summer Monsoon Study in 2018 and 2020, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan. Ser. II, 99(4), 1115-1125 https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jmsj/99/4/99_2021-054/_article/-char/en

Macalalad, R.V., R.A. Badilla, O.C. Cabrera, G. Bagtasa. (2021). Hydrological response of the Pampanga River Basin in the Philippines to intense tropical cyclone rainfall, Journal of Hydrometeorology 22(4), 781-794 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/hydr/22/4/JHM-D-20-0184.1.xml?tab_body=pdf

Manuel, A., A.C. Blanco, A.M. Tamondong, R. Jalbuena, O. Cabrera, & P. Gege. (2020). Optmization of bio-optical model parameters for turbid lake water quality estimation using Landsat 8 and wasi-2D. The International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 42, 67-72. https://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-sci.net/XLII-3-W11/67/2020/

Rodrigo, S.M.T., C.L. Villanoy, J.C. Briones, P.H.T. Bilgera, O.C. Cabrera, G.T.T.  Narisma. (2018). The mapping of storm surge-prone areas and characterizing surge-producing cyclones in Leyte Gulf, Philippines. Natural Hazards. Doi: 10.1007/s11069-018- 3252-9.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-018-3252-9

J.L.A. Soria, A.D. Switzer, C.L. Villanoy, H.M. Fritz, P.H.T. Bilgera, O. C. Cabrera, F. P. Siringan, Y. Yacat-Sta. Maria, R. D. Ramos, and I. Q. Fernandez. (2016). Repeat Storm Surge Disasters of Typhoon Haiyan and Its 1897 Predecessor in the Philippines. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 97, 31–48. http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00245.1

Cabrera, O.C., C.L. Villanoy, I.D. Alabia, and A.L. Gordon. (2015). Shifts in chlorophyll a off eastern Luzon, Philippines, associated with the North Equatorial Current bifurcation latitude. Oceanography 28(4):46–53, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2015.80

W.Y.Licuanan, M.S. Samson, S.S. Mamauag, L.T. David, R.Borja-Del Rosario, M.C.C. Quibilan, F.P. Siringan, M.Y.Y. Sta Maria, N.B. España, C.L. Villanoy, R.C. Geronimo, O.C. Cabrera, R.J.S. Martinez, P.M. Aliño (2015). I-C-SEA Change: A participatory tool for rapid assessment of vulnerability of tropical coastal communities to climate change impacts. AMBIO A Journal of the Human Environment 06/2015; DOI:10.1007/ s13280-015-0652-x https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26036847

Pullen, J., Gordon, A. L., Flatau, M., Doyle, J.D., Villanoy, C., & Cabrera, O. (2015). Multiscale influences on extreme winter rainfall in the Philippines. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 1–18. doi:10.1002/2014JD022645 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014JD022645/full

Cabrera, O.C., C.L. Villanoy, G.S. Jacinto, L.P.C. Bernardo, C.M. Ferrera, I.B. Velasquez, and R.V Azanza (2014), Salt-plug estuarine circulation in Malampaya Sound, Palawan, Philippines, Philipp. Sci. Lett.7(2), 428–437.

Villanoy C. L., E. Salamante, O. Cabrera (2013), Chapter 3. Exposure: waves and storm surges. In: MERF, 2013. Vulnerability assessment tools for coastal ecosystems: A Guidebook. Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. Quezon City, Philippines.

Villanoy, C., L. David, O. Cabrera, M. Atrigenio, F. Siringan, P. Aliño, and M. Villaluz (2012), Coral reef ecosystems protect shore from high-energy waves under climate change scenarios, Climatic Change, doi:10.1007/s10584-012-0399-3.

Cabrera, O. C., C. L. Villanoy, L. T. David, and A. L. Gordon (2011), Barrier layer control of entrainment and upwelling in the Bohol Sea, Philippines, Oceanography, 24(1), 130–141

Villanoy, C. L., O. C. Cabrera, A. Yniguez, M. Camoying, A. De Guzman, L.T. David, and P. Flament (2011), Monsoon-Driven Coastal Upwelling, Oceanography, 24(1), 156–165.

Senal, M.I.S., G.S. Jacinto, M.L. San Diego-McGlone, F. Siringan, P. Zamora, L. Soria, M.B. Cardenas, C. Villanoy, and O. Cabrera (2011), Nutrient inputs from submarine groundwater discharge on the Santiago reef flat, Bolinao, Northwestern Philippines., Marine Pollution Bulletin, 63(5-12), 195–200, doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.05.037.

Cardenas, M.B., P.B. Zamora, F.P. Siringan, M.R. Lapus, R.S. Rodolfo, G.S. Jacinto, M.L. San Diego-McGlone, C.L. Villanoy, O. Cabrera, and M.I. Senal (2010), Linking regional sources and pathways for submarine groundwater discharge at a reef by electrical resistivity tomography, 222 Rn, and salinity measurements, Geophysical Research Letters, 37(16), 1–6, doi: 10.1029/2010GL044066.

MS STUDENTS GRADUATED

• Alyssa Dawn M. Castillo, MS Meteorology – Atmosphere and Ocean Responses to Tropical Cyclone Hato (Isang) and Pakhar (Jolina) as Observed and Simulated by Coupled Model

 ABSTRACT

Recent studies increasingly highlight the importance of air-sea coupled models for better representation of weather and climate systems. However, forecasts from coupled ocean-atmosphere models remain underutilized, particularly in the Philippines. In August of 2017, tropical cyclone (TC) Hato and Pakhar passed near the vicinity of Northwest Luzon, where a concurrent oceanographic cruise was being conducted to survey the Northwest Luzon Coastal Current. The response of the ocean and atmosphere due to TC passage as it passed the vicinity of the study area was thus examined using in situ, satellite, and Naval Research Laboratory’s Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System for Tropical Cyclone (COAMPS-TC) model. Specifically, this study examined whether a cold wake was formed after the passage of TC Hato and whether the cold wake could weaken the subsequent TC Pakhar. The sensitivity of COAMPS-TC’s initial ocean conditions with and without Hato forcing on the Pakhar forecast was also assessed. Results show that a cold wake was formed after the passage of Hato, although the cold wake did not affect the intensity of Pakhar as the wake was found to be shallow, transient, and located north of Pakhar’s track. There was no weakening of this subsequent TC because the waters near the coast of NW Luzon that it passed through has relaxed back to warmer conditions. The COAMPS model was not able to capture the cold wake formation but overall showed too intense cooling after the passage of Hato. Incorporating Hato Forcing before the simulation of Pakhar showed better results for the track and intensity of Pakhar as well as the SST conditions before and after Pakhar passage. This means that the initial conditions of the ocean were important for COAMPS simulation and feedback of the ocean to the atmosphere is important to better forecast the track and intensity of TC. Some more experiments are recommended for future studies but this study shows the utility of coupled atmosphere-ocean models for Philippine TC forecasts.

• Diana Mae T. Calde, MS Meteorology – Storm surge in the eastern region of the Philippines during 2016 and 2017 as observed from tide gauge data

ABSTRACT

Tropical cyclones (TCs) rank the deadliest amongst the natural hazards in the world, mainly because of the associated storm surges. In the Philippines, coastal areas in the east are said to be the most vulnerable but actual records have been sparse. In this study, data from 5 tide gauge stations in the eastern Bicol, Samar, and Leyte (Jose Panganiban, Virac, Catbalogan, Tacloban, and Guiuan) were analyzed to identify occurrence and magnitude of storm surge during the passage of 2016 TCs Carina (International name, Nida), Karen (Sarika), Marce (Tokage) and Nina (Nock-Ten). Meteorological data from synoptic stations and satellite data were also examined to determine the TC parameters that contributed to the surge. Water level abnormally above the predicted astronomical tides, defined as storm surge, were observed for TC Nock-Ten for stations closest and situated at or north of the TC track. Nock-Ten induced a 101.8 cm surge at Virac, highest among the tropical cyclones due to intensified wind towards the coast (40 m/s). Tokage, Sarika, and Nida generated winds weaker than Nock-Ten and produced a surge of less than 50 cm. Interestingly, a 36.3 cm surge was recorded at Virac station a day after Tokage’s landfall. The cyclone’s winds interacted with the northeast monsoon, intensifying the easterly component of the wind as the eye of Tokage was 216 km from the station. For the subset of TCs studied, it has been found that high velocity winds towards the coast are crucial for storm surge to occur and that intensification of perpendicularly directed winds toward the coast may also induce elevated water levels even when the TC is way past the station location.

• Noel R. Bangquaio, MS Meteorology – Impact of Madden-Julian Oscillation on Philippine winter rainfall

 ABSTRACT

Intraseasonal variability in the tropics is modulated by Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO), a large-scale convective disturbance which propagates eastward across the equatorial Indian Ocean and western-central Pacific at a rate of 5 ms-1. Impact of MJO on Philippine rainfall during boreal winter months December to February of years 1987 to 2017 was studied using composite analysis of rainfall, convective and circulation anomalies. MJO events were identified using the Real-time Multivariate MJO (RMM) index, and days with strong MJO events were used for compositing and calculating anomalies for each MJO phase. Normally, Philippines experiences a northeasterly wind with convection mostly occurring in the Eastern Philippines. High amount of rainfall is experienced in the windward direction while places in the leeward direction receive no or less rainfall. However, rainfall was found to deviate from normal winter values coherent with the MJO phases, with generally negative anomalies during phases 1,2,3,7 and 8 (MJO convective center in Indian Ocean and western Hemisphere) and positive anomalies during phases 4-6 (MJO convective center in Maritime Continent and Western Pacific). The greatest impact of MJO occurred in type I and III climate regions (dry climate during boreal winter) which experienced enhanced (suppressed) rainfall during rainy (dry) phases of MJO. All rainy MJO phases showed a field significant rainfall enhancement while all the dry MJO phases except for phase 7 showed a field significant rainfall suppression which means the impact of MJO on rainfall did not occur by chance. The impact of MJO on Philippine rainfall can be explained not just by the direct influence of tropical convective anomalies but also by the result of enhancement (suppression) of the winter monsoon, induced anomalous low (high) sea level pressure, rising (sinking) air and the eastward (westward) extent of the Western Pacific Subtropical High.

• Sheila Marie Navarro , MS Meteorology– Modulation of Philippine Rainfall by Convectively Coupled Equatorial Waves

ABSTRACT

Rainfall is the most prominent climatic event in the Philippines. In this study,the influence of convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) to rainfall in the Philippines was investigated and quantified using 18-year long daily Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and rainfall from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM) from year 1998-2015. Wavenumber-frequency filtering method was employed to isolate and filter the band signal of each CCEWs for a domain covering the Philippines, from 110^oE to 130^oE and 5^oN to 20^oN. Variance analysis was used to determine the contributions of CCEWs to rainfall variability for Philippine domain, and for the northern, central, and southern region. Also, the relationship between CCEWs events and ground-based rainfall from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) synoptic station was analyzed for the year 2016.Kelvin, equatorial Rossby (ER), and mixed Rossby gravity (MRG) wave modulated Philippine rainfall variance by 3.36%, 4.19%, and 1.92%, respectively.Kelvin waves dominated the southern Philippines contributing about 3.9% of the total rainfall variance. It has two distinct peaks which occur during May –June, and December – January. The secondary peak of Kelvin waves was weaker compared to the primary peak. On the other hand, ER waves prevailed in the central Philippines with4.6% of the total rainfall variance. ER waves were relatively active throughout the year except for months of September –October. During July –August, the signals of ER waves were shifted to the northern Philippines. Similar to Kelvin waves, MRG waves also had its maximum modulation in southern Philippines with about 2.2% of the total rainfall variance. It also has two distinct peaks which occur during July and November.MRG waves peak during July was extended to northern Philippines. Ground-based data showed rainfall correlating with the OLR signals of the CCEWS. Rain occurred mostly during the passage of waves (i.e, 0 or no lag) particularly Kelvin waves and MRG waves. Active events of ER waves caused a lead to the rainfall in the northern Philippines and a delay in the southern Philippines. This study shows that CCEWs modulated the rainfall variance in the Philippines, with ER (MRG) waves showing greatest (least)influence and with southern Philippines being the most affected collectively by all three studied CCEWs during boreal winter

• Jimmy R. Corong, Jr , MS Meteorology– Use of a forecast atmospheric-ocean-sediment model for assessing the impact of typhoon-induced surge to coastal geomorphology

 ABSTRACT

In the Philippines, intensity of typhoons is measured by maximum wind speed attained, with damage resulting mostly from the ferocious winds and sometimes torrential rains. However, typhoons also inflict damage by changing the onshore and offshore landscape at a faster rate than normal through morphological processes such as erosion and sedimentation. Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) is an intense typhoon that devastated the Visayas region in the Philippines on November 8, 2013. The coastal towns along San Pedro Bay were among the most affected when Typhoon Haiyan made landfall. An atmospheric forecast model (WRF) and an ocean model (Delft3D-Flow/Wave) were used to simulate the typhoon surge and sedimentological changes during and immediately after Haiyan. Parameterization of WRF atmospheric model focused on varying microphysics schemes and using the wind and pressure output from the best combination scheme as inputs for the Delft3D ocean model. In Tacloban City, a 2 meter surge was produced using WRF wind, compared to a 5 meter surge produced using input from best-track data of Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). The difference was due to the significantly weaker wind produced from WRF simulation. There are erosion and sedimentation hotspots in the coasts of San Pedro Bay, with Tacloban and Tanauan as areas with significant erosion and Basey with significant sedimentation. To some extent, hydrodynamic process, coastal erosion and sedimentation that led to the morphological changes in the study area were reproduced and is consistent with previous studies. This study is the first of its kind that tried to couple atmospheric, oceanographic, and sedimentological process in simulating the damage from Typhoon Haiyan.

MS CANDIDATES

• Meara Noelle Tolentino, MS Environmental Science
• Jianne Pamintuan, MS Meteorology
• Jobelle Labrador, MS Meteorology
• Anna Marie Garnica, MS Meteorology
• Jennifer D. Maligaya, MS Meteorology
• Alvin E. Pura, MS Meteorology
• Arra Camille D. Canare, MS Meteorology
• Macky R. Villa, MS Meteorology
• Angelyn A. General, MS Meteorology

• Regional Scales of Variability in Precipitation (RSVP) Project
• Spatiotemporal Distribution and relative abundance of small cetaceans along southern Tañon Strait in relation to environmental factors
• Benham Rise Potential Productivity Research Project
• National Assessment for the Coral Reef Environmental (NACRE) Project (Watershed and Ocean Parameters for the Assessment of Coral Reef Health [WOPAC])

• Coastal Assessment for Rehabilitation Enhancement:Capability Development and Resiliency of EcoSystems (CARE-CaDRES)