MANILA - State weather bureau PAGASA and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) have launched the country's first-ever weather dictionary, which can be used by media, disaster agencies and schools.

The "Patnubay sa Weder Forkasting" is a 73-page dictionary which aims to provide both Filipino and English terms for words commonly used in weather forecasts.

Among the words retained from English were "cold front," "equinox" and and "low pressure area," while some words, like "altitud" (altitude), "bubog-ulan" (hail) and "taog" (high tide) were translated into Filipino.

Original Filipino terms like "daluyong" (giant waves), "halumigmig" (humidity) and "hanging haginit" (fresh wind) are also in the dictionary.

The "Patnubay sa Weder Forkasting", headed by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, is a response to outgoing President Benigno Aquino III's call to make weather forecasting more understandable.

Closely coordinated with technical experts from PAGASA, the dictionary aims to strengthen the campaign for a simplified forecast, making it easier for the public to understand warnings on the weather condition.

"We urge TV and radio networks, the media to use the terms in this book because if we do not use them, the words will die," said KWF Director General Roberto Añonuevo said in Filipino.

Aside from Tagalog terms, the "Patnubay sa Weder Forkasting" also contains terms taken from other Filipino languages such as Ilocano and Bicolano.

PAGASA upgrades mobile apps

PAGASA has also introduced an upgraded version of its mobile apps.

A light version of the PAGASA website, the mobile app contains vital weather information and flood warning.

The PAGASA mobile app is available on Google Play for Android users.

Aside from the app, PAGASA also unveiled simplified information materials created through the collaboration with USAID's Be Secure Project.

The brochure-type materials contain information and illustrations about La Niña, El Niño, Rainfall Warning System (RWS), and the updated Tropical Cyclone Warning System (TCWS). Poster-type materials will also be released soon.