ILOILO City – The cold weather could persist until the end of February, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Iloilo.
The northeast monsoon, or hangin Amihan, is affecting Luzon and Visayas, bringing colder temperatures not only to Iloilo but to the entire Region 6, as well as to areas in Luzon, especially Benguet and Baguio, explained Jeff Maquiling, a weather forecaster at PAGASA Iloilo.
He told Panay News that colder temperatures are usually felt from evening until early morning.
The northeast monsoon is a wind originating from the northern part of China, affecting the Philippines, and it could bring even colder weather to the region in the coming days as it moves towards the Visayas, said Maquiling.
He also clarified that other areas in the country have been experiencing colder weather since November 2023.
PAGASA Iloilo’s data for January 2024 showed that the lowest temperature recorded by their station was 20.8 degrees Celsius on Jan. 27. This Tuesday morning, the temperature was recorded at 23.0 degrees Celsius.
Experiencing cooler weather each year from January to February is common.
“For the past few years, we have experienced cold weather starting in January and lasting until February,” Maquiling said.
In response to inquiries about the possibility of rain, Maquiling said isolated light rains could still occur due to the northeast monsoon.
Additionally, PAGASA is monitoring a Low Pressure Area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), particularly in Southern Mindanao, but it is unlikely to develop into a typhoon.
Maquiling advises everyone to be cautious, especially those who are unwell, as the cold weather could worsen illnesses. He recommends wearing jackets or additional protection against the cold.
PAGASA previously reported that the coldest temperature since the onset of the amihan season in October was recorded in La Trinidad, Benguet, where temperatures dropped to 9.7 degrees Celsius.
This Wednesday, Benguet recorded a temperature of 11.8 degrees Celsius.
“Currently, the lowest temperature we have recorded is still in Benguet, Baguio, which is 11.8 degrees Celsius,” said Maquiling./PN
