Colloquium on Understanding the Tropical Storm Ondoy

Everyone is invited to listen and participate in the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) Colloquium entitled:

Understanding Tropical Storm Ondoy:
A Forum on the Meteorology and Hydrology of a Massive Flood Event

On September 26, 2009, Tropical Storm Ondoy hit the country, primarily affecting Regions III, IV and the NCR. A relatively small tropical cyclone with maximum winds of only 85 kph when it made landfall in Aurora, no one expected that it will bring in an unprecedented amount of rain - 367mm in 6 hours. It caused massive flooding in the Marikina River Basin as well as in areas surrounding Laguna de Bay. To date, more than 300 people have died due to the floods. Understanding such event from a meteorological and hydrological standpoint will hopefully shed some light on why such tragedy occurred; and hopefully aid us in anticipating and preparing for similar events in the future.

image source

A Panel of Experts will come from the following organizations:

• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Science and Technology
• National Hydraulics Research Center, UP College of Engineering
• National Institute of Geological Sciences,UP College of Science
  

October 6, 2009, 3-5 PM
NIGS Audio Visual Room
College of Science, UP Diliman

*The Urban gurU received this email from an alumnus of the National Institute of Geological Sciences. As part of the academe, let me invite everyone who are interested in knowing the scientific milieu of the said natural phenomenon.

The Real Low Pressure Area

Despite the supposed-to-be-shinning-shimmering-splendid summer all of us enjoying right now, the country is currently exposed to its third tropical cyclone for this year. As of 10 pm today, PAG-ASA reported that Tropical Depression "Crising" has remained almost stationary. It is located 290 km West of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro giving a public storm signal number 1 warning over Palawan, Cuyo Island, Calamian Group of Islands, Occidental Mindoro, and Lubang Island.

On the other hand, a soon-to-be-tropical-depression was estimated in the vicinity of Albay. This Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated at 40 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes, and therefore will cause panic and depression, again, to my Mom who is in our house in Albay.


Image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). An image of the Philippine loop is also alavailable here. Please visit the PAG-ASA weather bulletin for updates about Tropical Depression Crising. Next bulletin will be out at 5am of May 1.

Signs that there’s a Public Storm Signal No. 3

According to PAGASA, at 2:00 a.m. today, the eye of Typhoon "FRANK" was located by radar, satellite and surface data at 30 kms South of Tayabas, Quezon or 90 kms Southeast of Metro Manila (13.9°N 121.5°E) with maximum winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It is expected that "FRANK" will move north northwest at 15 kph.

When I woke up at 11 am, Typhoon "FRANK" has already passed east of Metro Manila and is crossing Central Luzon.

Hence, below is the latest 2D Image issued by PAGASA for 3pm today.

Since we’re already in a contemporary age, at the same time all of the emo’s out there are trying to defy the laws of nature, here are some ways to confirm that there is indeed a Public Storm Signal No. 3 in the metropolis:

1. You are back to basics. You wake up at lunchtime and compete with your housemate with the use of the kitchen as you cook your all time favorite instant noodles.

Yummy. This reminds me of college midnight snacks at Kalai (my freshman dormitory).


2. Talking about freshman years, the second sign leads you to old friends sending you unexpected SMS.

Here’s an example:

Jong: If there is something better than sharing with others the best of what you have, it is sharing with others the best of who you are… : )
UG: Kumusta naman kabagyuhan diyan? (How's the typhoon over there?)
Jong: Emo-emo lang… Haha. (Just being emo... Haha.)
UG: Wala ka ngang magawa… (You have nothing else to do.)
Jong: Kaya *** na lang! LOL. (That's why I'll just have ***! LOL.)

Jong is a good old college friend. He lived three doors across my room way back when we were freshies. At the age of 23, he had finished already is Masters Degree in Economics. He works at the Department of Agriculture and can't directly answer my question whenever I ask him, “Is there really a rice shortage in the country today?”

To boot, Jong is an epitome of a USB!

Thanks to Billycoy for introducing me USB. It’s actually a line of collectibles available here.


3. Another friend challenges your Algebraic abilities, online!

Marge, another college friend, started our YM conversation by asking how’s the downpour at the metropolis. And after complaining about herself gaining a fat ***, she asked me if I know the expanded formula of (a+b+c)^3. Being a natural-born-Algebra-lover, I immediately picked up my pencil and notepad and solved for the solution. After a few minutes, I replied:

a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + 6abc + 3ab^2 + 3a^2b

+ 3ac^2 + 3a^2c + 3bc^2 + 3b^2c

Shoot! That was loooooong.

She responded:

margie: haha
margie: eh (a+b)^3
stupefied protagonist: kailangan ba tlga? (do you really need it?)
margie: medyo (quite.)
margie: haha
margie: alam mo yung shortcut (do you know the shortcut?)
margie: type mo na (type it now)

After quite some time...

margie: kuha ko na (i got it!)
stupefied protagonist: a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3
margie: tama (correct)

(^ indicates exponents)

Marge! You’re giving me a headache!

Marge has a degree in Public Health. She’s currently in her province way up north working in a local Water Company.


4. Finally, your last hint is that you stay in front of your laptop and tries to write as many blog entries as you can instead of checking your student’s quizzes. Oh! That’s another topic I can blog about!

Just wait, there’s more!

Outside: