Chill to last until 3rd week of February

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos, especially in Northern Luzon, will continue to experience chilly mornings until at least the third week of this month, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

“We still expect temperatures to go down this month,” said Joey Figuracion, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Cold temperatures were recorded yesterday at 10.8 degrees Celsius in Baguio City; 15.8 degrees in Malaybalay, Bukidnon; 15.9 in Itbayat, Batanes; 16.3 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and 17.2 degrees Celsius in Tanay Rizal.

The temperature in Baguio City dipped to 10.2 degrees on Feb. 1, the lowest recorded so far since the northeast monsoon season started in October.

In Metro Manila, the coldest day so far was also experienced on Feb. 1, when the temperature dropped to 18.5 degrees Celsius. Yesterday, it rose to 21.4 degrees Celsius.

PAGASA’s latest climate outlook showed the minumum or lowest temperature in Metro Manila could drop to 18 degrees Celsius in February.

In Baguio City, the forecast minimum temperature for this month is 9.4 degrees Celsius.

The northeast monsoon usually reaches its peak in January and February.

Figuracion, however, said the northeast monsoon is expected to weaken in the next two or three days.

“In the coming days, we may experience warmer weather in some areas, including Metro Manila, due to the weakening of the northeast monsoon and prevalence of the easterlies. But we expect it (northeast monsoon) to re-intensify by weekend,” Figuracion said.

But in Northern Luzon, particularly extreme northern Luzon, the cold weather will persist, he added.

Meanwhile, Figuracion said a low-pressure area is expected to enter the country today and bring rains in some parts of the country.

“It will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms (and) occasional heavy rains over the Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

The trough or extension of the low-pressure area is also likely to bring rains over parts of Southern Luzon, including the Bicol region.

The weather system is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone, Figuracion said. 

“It is likely to dissipate after crossing the Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.