THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Baguio City and Metro Manila experienced their coldest day Monday during the “amihan” or northeast monsoon season.
PAGASA said Baguio City recorded 11.8 degrees Celsius while the temperature at the Science Garden in Quezon City was measured at 20.4 degrees Celsius.
PAGASA said lowest temperature recorded throughout the country during the current amihan season was in La Trinidad, Benguet (9.4 degrees Celsius) last January 25.
This was followed by last Monday’s 11.8 degrees Celsius recorded in Baguio City.
Historically, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded in Baguio City (6.3 degrees Celsius) on Jan. 18, 1961. The coldest day in Metro Manila (14.5 degrees Celsius) was recorded on Jan. 11, 1914.
PAGASA declared the onset of the northeast monsoon on November 19 last year. It typically ends in February or March.
The northeast monsoon is characterized by cold winds from the northeast that bring rains over the eastern side of the country.
The onset of the northeast monsoon came more than a month after the end of the southwest monsoon, which is characterized by warm moist winds from the southwest causing rains over the western portion of the country.
