Lull in amihan, but chilly mornings ahead
MANILA, Philippines–A break in the amihan, or northeast monsoon, has caused temperatures in Luzon on Saturday to be slightly warmer, mistaken by most as the onset of summer.
But Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasters said what Luzon experienced on Saturday was temporary and chilly mornings are expected to return by Tuesday.
Weather forecaster Fernando Cada said the weakening of the amihan slightly raised temperatures in Luzon, including Metro Manila.
Cada said the northeast monsoon is concentrated over the northernmost and easternmost portions of Northern Luzon while the rest of Luzon and other parts of the country are being affected slightly by the warm easterlies from the Pacific Ocean.
Pagasa issued a gale warning over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon because of strong to gale-force winds that would make seas rough to very rough in the area. Fishing boats and other small vessels were advised against venturing into the seaboards while larger ships were alerted to waves that could reach up to 4.5 meters.
Cada pointed out that the lowest temperature on Saturday was 12 degrees Celsius in Baguio City. The summer capital was coldest on Feb. 2 at 9.8 degrees.
He said most of Luzon, including Metro Manila, felt the lull of the amihan on Saturday.
In Metro Manila, the lowest temperature on Saturday was at 21 degrees which was recorded at the Pagasa Science Garden in Quezon City, where registered temperatures are considered representative of the whole National Capital Region.
The lowest temperatures recorded on Saturday in Luzon were: 17.3 degrees in Basco, Batanes; 18 degrees in Tuguegarao City; 19 degrees in Aparri, Cagayan; and 19.3 degrees in Laoag City.
Cada said that while warmer temperatures are expected until Sunday, they anticipate the resurgence of the amihan by Monday afternoon to bring back the chill to Luzon.
Basically, he explained, the third and last week of February is when the amihan brings the coldest temperatures. By the first week of March, the chill starts to die down as signs of the termination of the northeast monsoon begin to appear.
