By: Pauline Ritchel Ramos
Photo by: Miguel de Guzman/ The STAR
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reports that the northeast monsoon, or "Amihan" season, which signals the start of cooler temperatures typically associated with the Christmas season, may begin as early as next week.
The Amihan typically starts between the second week of October and mid-November, according to Lorie Dela Cruz, a weather forecaster with PAGASA. She stated in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo that "Our estimate is that by next week, we may see the onset of the Amihan season."
PAGASA also verified that the southwest monsoon, or "Habagat," season had officially concluded in a related announcement. The Habagat has significantly weakened in recent days, the bureau noted, and a high-pressure system over East Asia has strengthened as well. As a result of this change, the nation's weather patterns are progressively changing and the colder northeast monsoon is about to arrive.
Because of the easterlies, PAGASA also forecasted partly cloudy to cloudy skies with occasional thunderstorms or rain showers for Metro Manila, other parts of Luzon, and Eastern Visayas. While this is happening, isolated thunderstorms might develop across the Nation.
As the Earth tilts away from the sun, longer nights and shorter days begin with this astronomical occurrence. The longest night of the year will begin on December 21, the winter solstice. Compared to the summer solstice in June, daylight hours will shorten by approximately one hour and forty-four minutes.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando noted that on December 21, the shortest day of the year, sunrise will occur at 6:16 a.m. and sunset will occur at 5:32 p.m. As the Philippines enters the autumn months, cooler temperatures brought on by the Amihan winds are predicted to prevail during this time.
With the Amihan season soon approaching, Filipinos may anticipate the cooler, festive weather that usually accompanies the year-end celebrations.