BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -- March is usually the start of the hot summer months but the summer capital savored one of the coldest days of the year on Wednesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) posted a sharp temperature drop here from 13 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

Weather observer Efren Dalipog said the Mercury drop was "abnormal" because the coldest temperatures ever recorded in recent history usually occurred in January and February.

Baguio City’s temperature in the last few days fluctuated between 13 degrees and 14 degrees Celsius, he said.

He said temperatures dropped because Baguio and some areas of the Cordillera were at the tailend of a cold front. He said strong surface winds also contributed to the temperature drop.

History shows that Baguio’s temperature could indeed dip sharply during March.

On March 1, 1962, temperature dropped to 7.4 degrees Celsius. On January 18, 1961, Mercury registered 6.3 degrees Celsius, the coldest so far.

Tourism officials welcomed the return of Baguio’s cold weather.

Benedicto Alhambra, city tourism officer, said the cold weather could help the city drum up tourist interest during the summer months.

After the Lenten season, the city has lined up tourist-drawing activities like the Philippine Military Academy graduation and summer and arts expositions.