The prevalence of the northeasterly surface wind flow north of the country signifies that the Philippine climate is now in the transition period from the southwest monsoon or “habagat” to the northeast monsoon or “amihan” season.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Gener Quitlong said the northeasterly surface wind flow is the initial blast of the cold weather-associated northeast monsoon that usually comes in between mid-October and early November.
Amihan is associated with surges of cold weather that may last until February or March.
“We are now in the transition period to amihan season,” Quitlong said.
The prevalence of the easterly winds, a warm and humid air coming from the Pacific Ocean, is one of the manifestations that the country’s climate is shifting to northeast monsoon or amihan.
Another manifestation that amihan is coming is the lower air temperature over the country, particularly over the mountainous areas of Northern Luzon.
The northeasterly surface wind flow will prevail over Northern Luzon today.
Batanes, Isabela, and Cagayan, including Babuyan Group of Islands, will have cloudy skies with rain showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
The public is reminded to remain on alert for possible flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides over mountainous areas, especially during severe thunderstorms.
Quitlong said the shallow low pressure area 955 kilometers east-northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or inside the country’s area of responsibility is still not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone. (Ellalyn Ruiz)