MANILA, Philippines — With temperatures soaring to record high around the world, the northeast monsoon finally brought chilly weather to the country in the last few days of the year.
The coldest temperatures so far since the northeast monsoon set in last October 15 was recorded on Tuesday, December 29.
Baguio City chilled at 12.8 degrees Celsius while the weather station in Malaybalay, Bukidnon registered 16.5 degrees early Tuesday.
In Basco, Batanes, the temperature dropped to 18.8 degrees and to 19.5 degrees in Iba, Zambales.
In Metro Manila, the temperature dropped to 19.6 degrees.
Cool weather will continue to be felt this week due to the prevailing northeast monsoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The northeast monsoon usually peaks in January and February.
PAGASA also said fair weather would continue to hold in most of the country until the first day of the new year.
Cagayan Valley (Region 2) and Aurora province in eastern Luzon will have light monsoon rains.
But the rest of Luzon will continue to have generally fair weather with possible isolated light rains, according to PAGASA.
Visayas and Mindanao would have generally good weather with chances of brief rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly over the eastern section, the weather bureau added.
Gale warning against sea travel has remained over the northern Luzon seaboard.
Sea conditions over Northern Luzon will be rough to very rough while moderate to rough over the rest of Luzon and eastern Visayas, according to PAGASA. SFM