MANILA — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the onset of the dry season on Tuesday, following the end of the northeast monsoon.
In a phone interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas said the dry season was announced due to the “termination of the northeast monsoon”, which was replaced by warmer winds coming from the Pacific. The northeast monsoon or ‘hanging amihan’ are cold winds that blow from Siberia, Russia starting mid-October and strengthens mid-December.
The weather specialist noted the “notorious hotspots” are in Tuguegarao, Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Cabanatuan, with average temperatures expected to reach 36-37°C.
Metro Manila is forecast to have temperatures up to 36°C, while other areas are expected to have average temperature of 33-34°C.
Rojas added that heavy rains south of Metro Manila, which occurred for two hours Tuesday afternoon (April 10, 2018), were normal due to the high probability of cloud formation caused by the high temperatures.
However, he noted this would not happen daily but only occasionally. (PNA)
