By Brian Campued
The northeast monsoon or “amihan” season has officially begun, the state weather bureau announced Tuesday.
Amihan is made up of the cold winds that blow from the northeast and may bring rains over the eastern side of the country.
In a press release, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the onset of amihan was determined by various meteorological patterns, such as the high pressure area over Siberia which has strengthened, “leading to a strong surge in northeasterly winds.”
“Furthermore, successive surges of northeasterly winds are expected over the next two weeks, leading to an increase in atmospheric pressure and cooling of surface air temperature over the northern portion of Luzon,” the agency stated.
PAGASA said that the northeast monsoon will bring cold and dry air in most parts of the country, “with periodic surges expected in the coming months.”
State meteorologists also warn mariners about an “increasing prevalence of rough sea conditions” in the coming months due to the onset of amihan, especially along the seaboards of Luzon.
—iro