MANILA — The Philippines experiences numerous typhoons every year, but this November has been particularly active, with four already recorded—Pepito being the latest. 

Earlier this month, Marce, Nika, and Ofel also struck the country.

The country typically experiences 18 to 20 typhoons each year, according to PAGASA. Historical records show extremes, with 32 typhoons recorded in 1993 and just 11 in 2010 and 2023.

Overlapping typhoons

Joey Figuracion, a PAGASA weather specialist, explained that the timing of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events—such as the transition from El Niño to La Niña—plays a critical role in typhoon activity. 

He noted that back-to-back typhoons are common during La Niña years, a phenomenon characterized by the cooling of Pacific Ocean waters.

"Sa ating historical data nangyayari naman siya... 1983 may nangyari nang ganito na sunud-sunod na bagyo and even nung 2008 meron din," Figuracion said.

The current surge in typhoons is also linked to the transition from El Niño earlier in 2024, which suppressed storm activity.

"Remember, El Niño tayo in the past nung 2023 then the early of 2024, so ang pinaka-epekto niyan is yung reduction ng bagyo. 'Yung July natin is parang wala tayong mga bagyo," he said.

Earth's 'heat balancer'

Typhoons play a vital role in regulating the planet’s heat. 

Figuracion described them as the Earth’s "breathing mechanism," redistributing heat from the warm equator to cooler regions.

During El Niño, fewer storms form, creating a temporary heat imbalance. La Niña then triggers a "catch-up" effect, leading to more frequent typhoons.

"Kailangan nating mag-compensate o ico-compensate niya yun towards the end of the year na inaasahan naman natin na may La Niña which is dadami naman yung bilang ng bagyo kasi nga during the early stage ng taon walang bagyo so parang hahabulin niya yun," he said.

"May pagkukulang sa nakaraang buwan babalansehen natin yung pagkukulang nung nakaraang buwan, babawiin natin," he added.

Climate change

While back-to-back storms fall within natural climate variability, climate change amplifies their intensity.

"In the sense of climate change, nakikita natin na yung pagdagdag sa init ng earth system isa yan sa nakikita natin na pinakaepekto ng climate change dahil nga kung mas mainit ibig sabihin mas mainit yung dagat. Mas mainit yung nararamdaman natin in terms of evaporation of intensity," he said

He added that the Earth’s warming leads to more thunderstorms and heavier rainfall.

"Mas nagiging unstable ang atomosphere thats why mas maraming thunderstorm so mas maraming kidlat at kulog attributed yan dun," he added.

From Kristine to Pepito: 6 cyclones batter PH one after another

NASA: Philippines’ overlapping cyclones ‘unusual’