Warmer temperatures to continue

Warmer than usual days and even nights will continue despite the onset next week of the northeast monsoon (amihan) which usually ushers in the cool weather associated with the Christmas season.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded warmer than usual temperatures in most of the country last month.

As this strong El Niño episode worsens in the coming months, Pagasa said the coming ber months until early next year will be “slightly warmer” than usual.

“Generally it was slightly warmer than usual in most parts of the country especially in Luzon because we’re dry in Luzon,” Pagasa climatologist Rusy Abastilas said.

“But there were also a few areas that recorded cooler than normal temperature. In the Visayas there were rains so the temperature there was cooler,” she added.

But some meteorologists have noted what appeared to be an anomaly in the usual El Niño weather.

Marilyn Medina, chief meteorological officer for Metro Manila, said despite the El Niño dry spell the metropolis received more than the usual rainfall last month.

She said Metro Manila averages 450 millimeters of rain for the month of September.

“But surprisingly despite the existence of El Niño, Metro Manila received 474 millimeters of rain this September,” Medina said.

Curiously, the more than usual rains did not bring down the temperature in the capital since the nights up to early morning remained warmer than usual.

Medina said the average nighttime temperature in Metro Manila from September to October ranged from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius.