The "habagat" season may end in mid-October in line with the termination of the southwesterly winds, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Weather specialist Benison Estareja told the Manila Bulletin in an interview that the southwesterly winds will then shift to northeasterly winds or "amihan," which is a "natural" cycle that typically occurs in October.
In 2022, the "habagat" season ended on Oct. 5, while in 2021, it ended on Oct. 15, as per Estareja.
"Di ba, nag-terminate kami ng southwest monsoon, so 'yung hangin nagpapalit na tapos magbibilang ka pa ng one to two weeks bago magsimula 'yung northeast monsoon (When we have terminated the southwest monsoon, the prevailing winds will shift, and you need to count one to two weeks before the northeast monsoon starts)," explained Estareja.
Estareja also mentioned that a gradual decrease in temperature will initially be experienced in Batanes and the Babuyan Islands when the "amihan" season begins.
The surge will then affect Northern and Central Luzon as well as Visayas from December 2023 to February 2024, which will be the peak of the "amihan" season, according to Estareja. (Lizst Torres Abello)