Warning about changing weather

FARMERS should take precautions for their cash crops for the next couple of months given the fluctuations in weather experienced recently, the National Weather Service says.
Public and marine service senior officer Peter Warupi said unexpected changes in the weather pattern this month were the result of madden julian oscillation (MJO) activity that affected the normal dry period from July to September.
Warupi said Papua New Guinea would experience more cloud cover with isolated thunderstorms and rain in the next month.
He said the current pattern was not ideal for cash crops because the normal weather at this time of the year had been disrupted. He said clouds (MJO) had moved towards Southern region, providing more atmospheric cover, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the Port Moresby area.
“This can harm cash crops such as coffee and tea as well as other food crops. The cold weather will affect plants in the Highlands,” he said.
Forecaster Wartovo Horis said: “The fluctuation in weather pattern is caused by cold, dry air moving towards the country from Australia and mixing with the cold air experienced during the night recently.
“The MJO is at its peak at stage 6 where more cloud would cover the atmosphere.”