Baguio chill dips to 9.8ºC

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The mountain chill in this city dropped to 9.8 degrees Celsius early yesterday morning, bringing shivers even to residents used to the bone-tingling cold.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the northeast monsoon would continue to prevail over Northern Luzon, bringing cold temperatures in the region and nearby areas.

Yesterday’s drop was the lowest so far this year after Tuesday last week, a dip to 10.4 degrees Celsius.

On Jan. 13, Baguio recorded a low of 12 degrees Celsius.

Last year, the coldest temperature in the mountain city was 11.2 degrees Celsius registered on March 11.

In 2017, the mercury dropped to 7.3 degrees on Feb. 14.

On Jan. 16, 1962, Baguio City reached a low of 6.3 degrees Celsius, the coldest in its history.

Temperature usually drops in Baguio City in November and the cold spell ends in February.

PAGASA said the mountain enclave has been experiencing partly cloudy to cloudy skies, adding to the chill.

Other higher elevation locations in the mountain region like Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet; vegetable gardens in Paoay in Atok, also in Benguet and Mount Sto. Tomas in Tuba usually register 2 degrees lower than Baguio City.

The temperature drop, though stirring up tourism in the city, is sending “shivers” to vegetable farms in Northern Benguet. – With Helen Flores