BAGUIO CITY — Thick jackets, bonnets and mufflers are again out of the closets of local residents as the City of Pines continues to experience a drop in temperature aggravated by gloomy weather.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Baguio weather observer Engr. Aljon Tamondong said that the lowest temperature recorded this month was 11.5 degrees Celsius on December 16.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Baguio was 6.3 degrees Celsius on January 18, 1961. Baguio seldom exceeds 26 degrees Celsius even during the hottest days of the summer season.
In December last year, the lowest recorded temperature was 13 degrees Celsius.
Tamondong explained that the northeast monsoon that triggers rainfall adds to the dip in temperature further aggravated by the wind chill factor.
Last December 16, tropical storm “Urduja” which lingered in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) contributed to the bone-chilling temperature mostly experienced here in Baguio in the early morning, between 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The city’s mercury reading started to drop on December 13 when PAGASA recorded 15 degrees Celsius. Last December 14, it was at 14.2 degrees Celsius, and on December 15, it was 12.5 degrees Celsius.
The following days’ forecasts are: December 22 – 19 degrees Celsius; December 23 to 31 -20 degrees Celsius. Temperature is expected to drop starting January.
Tamondong said the peak of Baguio’s coldness is experienced between January until February. “In the succeeding days, let’s expect the temperature (to) still drop,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Donnabel Tubera of the Baguio Health Services Office, in an earlier press conference advised the public, including the tourists to wear thick jackets and keep themselves warm to prevent acquiring colds and cough which may lead to flu. (Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA)
