Thursday was coldest morning in Metro this year

MANILA, Philippines—Residents of Metro Manila probably struggled to get out of their warm beds on Thursday as they experienced their coldest morning yet in 2012.

A temperature of 19.7 degrees Celsius was recorded at 6 a.m. at the Science Garden of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration  in Quezon City, the lowest so far this year in Metro Manila, said weather observer Ken Occidental.

Baguio City recorded its coldest temperature on Wednesday morning at 13.4 degrees Celsius, the state weather bureau said.

The northeast monsoon or “amihan” traditionally ushers in the cold  weather, with winds coming in from ice-cold Siberia.

It has been the prevailing weather system in the Philippines since late October and will continue until February.

Meanwhile, a tropical storm with the international name Bopha threatens to enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday or Monday, Pagasa said.

It will be named Pablo, the 16th tropical cyclone to arrive in the country this year. The Philippines is visited by an average of 20 storms every year.