Chilly PH mornings recorded

Temperature in Metro Manila on Friday morning dropped to 20.8 degrees Celsius due to the presence of northeast monsoon which continues to affect most parts of Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In an interview, PAGASA weather observer Munir Balomero said that Friday’s temperature in Metro Manila was recorded at 7 a.m. but the lowest temperature so far for this year was recorded at 20.0 degrees Celsius last Wednesday (Jan. 6).

He said Metro Manila’s temperature readings are being recorded daily in the vicinity of the PAGASA Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The temperature in Metro Manila will be in the 22-31 degrees Celsius range on Friday.

Baldomero explained that strong winds of the northeast monsoon contributed to the dip in temperature reading and still expected in the metropolis until mid-February.

He said the lowest temperature recorded in Metro Manila last year at 18 degrees Celsius was on Feb. 2.

PAGASA said the all-time lowest temperature recorded in Metro Manila was at 14.9 degrees Celsius on March 1, 1963.

Meanwhile, Baguio City, the country’s summer capital, continues to experience chilly temperature as Friday temperature recorded at 13.6 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m.

The lowest temperature recorded this year in Baguio was last Jan. 5 at 13.4 degrees Celsius.

According to the PAGASA’s climatological record, Baguio’s coldest temperature ever recorded was at 6.3 degrees on January 18, 1961.

The northeast monsoon or seasonal winds from the northeast is the cold air from China that starts blowing into the country every mid-October. It usually peaks from early January to mid-February.

Earlier, PAGASA weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said that so far, the effect of northeast monsoon concentrates in the north but it will also bring cold mornings in some parts of Luzon including Metro Manila and the northeast monsoon usually peaks from early January to mid-February.

However, she noted that the northeast monsoon is expected to end in February due to El Niño phenomenon. (PNA)