5

Science
Quarter 4 - Module 3
Weather Disturbances
in the Philippines
Science – Grade 5 SSES
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 3: Weather Disturbances in the Philippines
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Mercy J. Balagtas
Editors: June C. Bernabe, PhD, Margarita M. Daluz, Carlos J. Pailas, Jr.,
Christian Keith M. Ortiz, Naomi L. Caparas
Reviewers: SDO Cabanatuan City
Illustrator: Aldrin B. Daniel
Layout Artist: Mercy J. Balagtas
Management Team: May B. Eclar, PhD, CESO III -Regional Director
Librada M. Rubio, PhD - CLMD Chief
Ma. Editha R. Caparas, PhD -Regional EPS In Charge of LRMS
Nestor P. Nuesca, PhD - Regional ADM Coordinator
Priscilla D. Sanchez – PhD - CID Chief
Romeo R. Hipolito - EPSvr in Science
Ever M. Samson, PhD - EPSvr in LRMS

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Region III –

School Division of Cabanatuan City
Office Address: Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City 3100
Telefax: (044) 463-7334
E-mail Address: [email protected]
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to
help you master the skill in characterizing the weather disturbances in the
Philippines and their effects to daily life. The scope of this module permits it
to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read
them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is about:

Lesson 1 – Weather Disturbances in the Philippines

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the different distinctive features of weather disturbances in the

Philippines;
2. describe the effects of the different weather disturbances on living thing
and the environment; and
3. compare and contrast the characteristics of typhoon and tornado.

What I Know

Read and answer the following questions. Write the letter of the correct
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is a typhoon?
A. It is the hotness and coldness of an object.
B. It is a force exerted by air on a given area.
C. It is a line connecting areas of equal atmospheric pressure.
D. It is a weather disturbance with strong winds and abundant rain.

2. What is the source of energy for a tropical cyclone?

A. cold air
B. air pressure
C. strong wind
D. water vapor

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3. Where do tropical cyclones usually originate?
A. cold region of a tropical ocean
B. cold region of a tropical island
C. warm region of a tropical ocean
D. warm region of a tropical island

4. What weather disturbance is characterized by sudden occurrences of rain

accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning and burst of thunder?
A. monsoon C. thunderstorm
B. storm D. tornado

5. Which is a description given by PAGASA during public storm signal no.1?

A. There is widespread damage to high-risk structures.
B. Wind speed of 30-60 km/hour may be expected in at least 36 hours.
C. Classes in the elementary and high school level are automatically
suspended.
D. Moderate to heavy damage may be experienced particularly in the
agricultural and industrial sector.

6. Which of the following hazards is NOT associated with typhoons?

A. earthquake C. storm surge
B. flash flood D. strong winds

7. What happens to tropical cyclones when they make landfall?

A. They lose strength.
B. They increase strength.
C. They maintain strength.
D. The air rotates in a different direction.

8. What kind of weather disturbance refers to a funnel-shaped low-pressure

air mass that originates from the land and occasionally develops when
there is a thunderstorm?
A. thunderstorms C. tropical storm
B. tornado D. typhoon

9. PAGASA has just raised typhoon Signal Number 2 in Nueva Ecija and
nearby provinces. What does this mean?
A. Winds up to 60 km/hour may be expected in the locality.
B. Winds from 61 to 121 km/hour may be expected in at least 24 hours.
C. Winds with a speed of greater than 115 km/hour are expected to hit the
locality in at least 18 hours.
D. Winds with a speed of 100 to 185 km/hour are expected in the locality
in at least 18 hours.

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10. Which of the following is the effect of very strong winds of public storm
warning signal # 4 on the transportation system?
A. Travels by air and sea are cancelled.
B. Travel by sea is allowed but not on the air.
C. Travel by air is allowed but not on the sea.
D. It is safe to travel both by air and on the sea.

Lesson
Weather Disturbances in the
1 Philippines

The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons every year. Being

surrounded by bodies of water makes us prone to experience some weather
disturbances. The biggest contributor to the weather disturbances in our
country is the Pacific Ocean which lies on the eastern side of our country. The
vast and warm waters of the ocean are capable of generating many weather
disturbances.

A typhoon is just one of the many weather disturbances we experience.

It brings heavy rains, floods, and landslides (Arradaza, Dela Cruz, Garcia,
Lopez, and Sarte, 2016). Can you name other weather disturbances?

What’s In
A. Write True if the statement is correct or False if it is NOT. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Soil erosion is the moving or carrying away of soil from one place to
another.
2. The effect of erosion on plants would mean less food production.
3. If much of the topsoil is carried away by erosion, the soil can still support
plant life.
4. Loose soil in a hilly or mountainous area when moved by strong wind and
running water can lead to landslide.
5. When eroded, soil carries pollution-causing chemicals into lakes, and
rivers. Fish and other creatures living in these places are killed.

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B. Match the items in column A with the words in column B. Write the letter
of the correct answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Column A Column B
6. It allows plants to grow naturally A. contour plowing
without human interference in a B. crop rotation
counterclockwise direction. C. natural vegetation
7. It allows farmers to plow across the D. riprapping
the slope to form ridges instead of E. strip cropping
plowing up and down. F. terracing
8. It involves alternately planting different
crops in strips.
9. It involves planting on terraces or steps
built on slopes of mountainside.
10. It is another way of controlling soil
erosion by building ripraps or chunks
of stones or rocks arranged on the edge
of a slope.

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 What’s New
Study the picture below.

Kuya Kim is reporting about super typhoon Yolanda, internationally

known as Super Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines on November 8,
2013, with a category of Typhoon Warning Signal Number 5.

Super Typhoon Yolanda

has a maximum
sustained winds of 315
kph (195 mph) and
gusts reaching 380 kph
(235 mph).

Based on the weather report of Kuya Kim, he said that weather

disturbance was devastating. It took lives and damaged properties. Strong
winds destroyed power and communication lines. Roads and bridges were
also damaged due to heavy rainfall and flooding. It also destroyed means of
livelihood in affected areas. Heavy rains and strong winds uprooted trees and
destroyed the crops. Since crops were destroyed, food shortage was
experienced by the affected areas.

Answer the questions based on the weather report that you read.

1. What is the name of the super typhoon that hit the Philippines as
reported by Kuya Kim?

2. When did the super typhoon hit the Philippines?

3. Why was this typhoon classified as a super typhoon?

4. What were the effects of typhoon Yolanda on the lives of the community?

5. What can you do to prepare and stay safe during a typhoon?

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 What is It

Do you have any idea how typhoons are formed? What are its effects
in our daily lives?

A typhoon, which is also called a tropical cyclone, usually develops in

a tropical region. It develops over the warm water in oceans and uses it as an
energy source. The Philippines is located in this region and lies in the typhoon
belt. This is the reason why the country often experiences different weather
disturbances.

It begins as a group of thunderstorms moving over tropical ocean waters

that form in areas of low pressure.

As water evaporates from the ocean, this makes the air very humid and
helps transfer energy from the ocean water into the air. The energy makes
warm air rises faster. As warm air rises, more air flows into the area where
the air is rising, thus creating wind.

cloud

warm rain
air

warm
water

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 As the wind blows faster and faster from different directions around the
pressure center, it builds up tall clouds that extend from near the ground up
to the top of the troposphere.

Large thunderstorms create an “eyewall” around the center where

winds are the strongest and where the rain occurs. While strong winds spiral
within the eyewall, wind in the eye itself is nearly calm and gentle.

eyewall

A typhoon maintains its strength as it stays above warm. Staying above

the warm ocean water and with continuing favorable conditions for its build-
up, a typhoon can grow bigger and more powerful.

As soon as the typhoon moves over land or cooler water, the typhoon
loses its source of energy. The wind loses strength and the storm eventually
dies out. If a typhoon moves over land, the contour of the land reduces the
wind even more (Anastacio and Solmerano, 2015).

Furthermore, people are informed and given warnings and updates

before the landfall of the typhoon, even before it enters the Philippines Area
of Responsibility. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) is the main forecast center assigned to
monitor all weather disturbances.

Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS)

PAGASA issues announcements about incoming typhoons and their

possible effects. The following Storm Warning Signals describe the weather
conditions and the precautionary measures that must be observed during
the indicated weather disturbance.

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Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1

A tropical cyclone will affect

the locality. Winds moving at the
speed of 30-60 kph may be
expected in at least 36 hours.

Impacts of the wind:

• Twigs and branches of small

trees may be broken.
• Some houses of very light
materials may be partially
unroofed.
• Rice crop may suffer significant
damage when it is in the
flowering stage.

Precautionary Measures:

• When the tropical cyclone intensifies and moves closer, this warning signal
number may be upgraded.
• The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and swell.
• The people are advised to listen to the latest severe weather bulletin issued
by PAGASA every six hours.
• Classes in the pre-elementary are suspended.
• Business may be carried out as usual except when floods occur.
• Disaster preparedness units are activated to alert status.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2

A tropical cyclone will affect the

locality. Winds move at a speed of 61-
120 kph may be expected in at least 24
hours.

Impacts of the wind:

• Some coconut trees may be tilted

with few others broken.
• Few big trees might be uprooted.
• Rice and corn may be adversely
affected.
• Some old galvanized iron roofs
might be removed or unroofed.

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Precautionary Measures:

• The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small sea craft.
• Special attention should be given to the latest position, direction and
movement speed, and intensity of the storm as it moves toward an area.
• The public especially people traveling by sea and air are cautioned.
• Outdoor activities of children should be postponed.
• Secure properties before the signal is upgraded.
• Classes in the elementary and high school are automatically suspended.
• Disaster preparedness agencies/organizations are in action to alert their
communities.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 3

Tropical cyclone will affect the

locality. Winds move at a speed of 121-
170 kph may be expected in at least 18
hours.

Impacts of the wind:

• Many trees might be uprooted.

• Majority of all nipa and cogon houses
may be unroofed or destroyed and
there may be considerable damage to
structures of light and medium
construction.
• There may be wide disruption of
electrical power and communication
services.

Precautionary Measures:

• The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all sea crafts.
• Travel is very risky especially by air and sea.
• People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying
areas, and stay away from the coasts and riverbanks.
• Watch out for the passage of the eye of the typhoon indicated by a sudden
occurrence of fair weather immediately after very bad weather, with very
strong winds coming generally from the north.
• Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the
safety of strong buildings.

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Public Storm Warning Signal No. 4

A tropical cyclone will affect the

locality. Winds move at a speed of
171-220 kph may be expected in at
least 12 hours.

Impacts of the wind:

• Coconut plantations may suffer

extensive damage.
• Many large trees may be uprooted.
• Rice and corn plantation may
suffer severe damages.
• Electrical power distribution and
communication services may be
severely disrupted.

Precautionary Measures:

• The situation is potentially very destructive to the community.

• All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
• Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed.
• The area is very likely to be hit directly by the eye of the typhoon.
• Classes in all levels and government offices are suspended.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 5

A super typhoon will affect the

locality. Winds moving at a speed of
220 kph or above may be expected in
at least 12 hours.

Impacts of the wind:

• Extreme damage to high-risk

structures.
• Complete roof collapse on many
residences and industrial
buildings.
• Electrical power distribution and
communication services are
severely disrupted.

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Precautionary Measures:

• The situation is potentially extremely destructive to the community.

• All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
• Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed since it may have
been too late for this situation.
• The area is very likely to be hit directly by the eye of the typhoon.
• Classes in all levels and government offices are suspended and people are
advised to take extra precautionary measures (Arradaza et al., 2016).

Other Types of Weather Disturbances

Aside from typhoons, there are other types of weather disturbances that
are of major concerns for us.

A. Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are local
weather disturbances that occur
frequently in summer. They are
characterized by sudden
occurrences of rain accompanied
by vivid flashes of lightning and
burst of thunder. A thunderstorm
is the most common type of
weather disturbance that is
experienced in the country
(Villanueva, Basa, Capati, De
Jesus, Soriano and Tiozon, 2018).

B. Tornadoes
A tornado is a destructive,
rotating column of air that has
very high wind speeds and that is
sometimes visible as a funnel-
shaped cloud. A tornado forms
when a thunderstorm meets
horizontal winds at a high
altitude. These winds cause the
warm air rising in the
thunderstorm to spin. When you
see clouds that begin to rotate, it
signals that a tornado is forming
(Anastacio and Solmerano, 2015).

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C. Monsoons
Much of the rainfalls in the Philippines are due to the southwest monsoon
and the northeast monsoon. Monsoons are wind system resulting from the
temperature and pressure differences between continents and oceans. The
two monsoons are southwest monsoon or habagat -felt during the month of
June and October and the Northeast monsoon or amihan -experienced from
November to February (Villanueva et al., 2018).

D. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is the meeting place of hot and cold
trade winds in the northern and southern hemisphere. The weather system
may trigger rain showers, even flash floods in affected areas (Arradaza et al.,
2016).

Effects of weather disturbances to the lives of the people

Typhoons have destructive effects to the daily lives and to the community.
The following are some of the effects of typhoons in the daily lives of people.

• Typhoon can mobilize rescue and medical aids due to roads that are not
passable.
• The source of income of farmers will be affected due to damaged crops
which can result to financial crisis and difficulty in feeding their families.
• It would take longer time to travel from one place to another if some of the
roads were impassable due to damaged caused by typhoons.
• There might be food shortage because of damaged crops. Due to shortage,
price of vegetables and even meat might increase.

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 What’s More
Activity 1
A. Identify the types of weather disturbances being described in the
given sentences. Choose the correct answer from the choices in the box. Write
your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

monsoons tornado
thunderstorms typhoon
Intertropical Convergence Zone

1. It refers to a funnel-shaped low-pressure air mass that originates from the

land.
2. These are the wind system resulting from the temperature and pressure
differences between continents and oceans.
3. It is characterized by sudden occurrences of rain accompanied by vivid
flashes lightning and burst of thunder.
4. It is an intense tropical cyclone with a maximum wind speed of 118 to 220
km/ hour and accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds.
5. It is the meeting place of hot and cold trade winds in the northern and
southern hemisphere which the weather system may trigger rain showers,
even flashfloods in affected area.

B. Supply the missing letters to complete the words being described. Write
your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
6. Localized storm cloud that produces thunder and lightning.
T

7. It is a whirling, funnel-shaped windstorm. It develops in low, heavy

cumulonimbus clouds.
R

8. It is a low-pressure area that forms in the tropics over the seas and oceans.
R C

9. These are the wind system resulting from the temperature and pressure
differences between continents and oceans.
M

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10. It is a belt of low pressure which circles the Earth generally near the
equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere
comes together.
I

C Z

Activity 2
Write True if the statement is correct or False if is NOT. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Weather disturbances refer to any disruption of the atmosphere’s stable
condition.
2. A monsoon is a seasonal flow of winds between the Northern and Southern
Hemisphere.
3. A tornado is a destructive, rotating column of air that has very high wind
speeds and that is sometimes visible as a funnel-shaped cloud.
4. With Public Storm Warning Signal No. 4, very strong winds of 171-220
km/hour may be expected in at least 8 hours.
5. Large thunderstorms create an “eye wall” around the center where winds
are the strongest and rains occur.
6. In Public Storm Warning Signal Number 2, classes in all levels are
automatically suspended.
7. Thunderstorm is a small-scale weather system in which lightning and
thunder are produced by a funnel-shaped cumulonimbus cloud.
8. The destructive effects of typhoon are heavy rains, floods, flash floods, and
destruction of properties.
9. PAGASA keeps track of cyclones that enter the Philippine Area of
Responsibility.
10. The source of income of farmers will be affected due to damaged crops
which can result to financial crisis and difficulty in feeding their families.

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Activity 3
Compare and contrast the characteristics that are shared by the
typhoon and the tornado using the Venn Diagram. Draw the diagram with
your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Typhoon Tornado

_________________ ____________ _________________

_________________ ____________ _________________
_________________ ____________ _________________
_________________ ____________ _________________
_________________ ____________ _________________
_________________ ____________ _________________

What I Have Learned

Complete the statement below by choosing the correct answers from the
given choices in the box. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
counterclockwise monsoons
destruction of properties thunderstorm
flashfloods tornado
Intertropical Convergence Zone tropical cyclone
landslides typhoon

I have learned that the different weather disturbances in the Philippines

include (1)___________________, (2)___________________, (3)_______________,
(4)________________, and (5)____________________ .
I also learned that a tropical cyclone is a weather disturbance
characterized by a large whirling mass of air moving in a (6) _________________
direction. A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained surface winds of less
than 62 km/hour is called tropical depression. When the wind reaches 63-
117 km/hour, it becomes a tropical storm. When the wind reaches more than
118 km/hour and above, it becomes a (7) ___________________.
Lastly, I was able to identify the destructive effects of typhoon which
include floods, (8) _____________________, erosion, (9) _________________ and
(10) ___________________. To minimize the destructive effects of the typhoon,
we must be alert to typhoon signals and observe the necessary precautions.

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 What I Can Do

Draw a concept map about the effects of super typhoon in the

community on a separate sheet of paper.

Effects of Super
Typhoon
(Public Storm Warning
Signal Number 5)

Assessment

Read and answer the following questions. Write the letter of the correct
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is a tropical cyclone?

A. It is the most violent storm.
B. It has the lowest atmospheric temperature.
C. It produces whirling winds and continuous rain.
D. It has a wind speed of less than 60 kilometers per hour.
.
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2. Where are typhoons usually formed?
A. over cold oceans
B. over warm oceans
C. over cold continents
D. over warm continents
3. Which is NOT a characteristic of a tropical cyclone?
A. Its eye is very destructive.
B. It dies over a cold and dry region.
C. Its center has a very low-pressure area.
D. Its surrounding has a very high-pressure area.
4. What type of weather disturbance is an intense local storm that brings
strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and sometimes hail?
A. thunderstorms
B. storm surge
C. tornado
D. tropical cyclone
5. What do you call a weather disturbance with violent, rotating winds, and
the winds spiral around a low-pressure region?
A. hurricane
B. storm surge
C. tornadoes
D. typhoon
6. Which of the following is the effect of public storm warning signal no. 3 in
the locality?
A. Many coconut trees may be broken or uprooted.
B. There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and
communication services.
C. Moderate to heavy damage may be experienced particularly in the
agricultural land and industrial sectors.
D. All of the above.
7. What is the Public Storm Warning Signal number that means that the
typhoon has a wind speed of 121-170 km/ hour?
A. Public Storm Warning Signal # 1
B. Public Storm Warning Signal # 2
C. Public Storm Warning Signal # 3
D. Public Storm Warning Signal # 4
8. Which of the following is the effect of a super typhoon in the community?
A. Few big trees may be uprooted.
B. Some banana plants may be tilted.
C. Rice and corn may be adversely affected.
D. Electrical power distribution and communication services may be
severely disrupted.

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9. What should you do to minimize the destructive effects of an upcoming
typhoon?
A. Be calm and ignore the news.
B. Always stay at home and sleep well.
C. Do not read a newspaper for the latest weather reports.
D. We must be alert to typhoon signals and observe the necessary
precaution.
10. Which is the only positive outcome of typhoons?
A. It caused flooding.
B. It removes trash from rivers.
C. It removes pollutants from the air.
D. It fills up dams and replenishes the water supply.

Additional Activity
Option 1: Activity for learners with internet connection
Use the internet to search on a news article that shows resiliency of
Filipinos during typhoons. Write a reflection about the news article on a
separate sheet of paper.
Option 2: Activity for learners without internet connection
Write ways on how you can extend help to the victims of the
typhoon. Do this on a separate sheet of paper.
Rubric for the Activities:

Criteria 3 2 1
Sufficiently
Substantial, Limited content
developed with
specific and well- with inadequate
Content adequate
elaborated elaboration of
elaboration of
content. content.
content
Written work has Written work has Written work has
no spelling, few spelling, many spellings,
Grammar, Spelling punctuation, punctuation, punctuation,
and Mechanics capitalization, and capitalization, and capitalization, and
grammatical grammatical grammatical
errors. errors. errors.
Information is
organized with Information is
Information is
well-constructed organized but
organized with
Organization paragraphs and paragraphs are
well-constructed
evident transition not well-
paragraphs.
and progression of constructed.
ideas.

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What I Know What’s More What’s More
1. D 6. A Activity 1 Activity 2
2. D 7. A
3. C 8. B 1. tornado 1. True 6. False
4. C 9. B 2. monsoons 2. True 7. True
5. B 10. A 3. thunderstorms 3. True 8. True
4. typhoon 4. False 9. True
What’s In 5. Intertropical 5. True 10. True
Convergence Zone
1. True 6. C What’s More
6. Thunderstorms
2. True 7. A
7. Tornado Activity 3
3. False 8. E 8. Tropical Cyclone
4. True 9. F 9. Monsoons
5. True 10. D 1. (answers 6.
10. Intertropical 2. may 7.
Convergence Zone 3. vary) 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
What I Have Learned What I Can Do Assessment
1. monsoons (Answers may vary) 1. A
2. thunderstorms 2. B
3. tornado 3. A
4. Intertropical 4. A
Convergence Zone 5. C
6. D
5. tropical cyclone 7. C
6. counterclockwise 8. D
7. typhoon 9. D
8. flashfloods 10. D
9. landslides
10. destruction of
properties
Answer Key