Metro Manila's air temperature dropped to 20.6 degrees Celsius (°C) on Sunday morning, Feb. 5, making it the region’s coldest day so far this year.
Based on the data of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the 20.6°C air temperature was recorded at the Science Garden monitoring station in Quezon City around 6 a.m.
PAGASA attributed the cold weather to the prevailing northeast monsoon or “amihan.”
Based on PAGASA’s data, the top 10 stations that recorded the lowest air temperature throughout Sunday were:
Baguio City (13.0℃)
Tanay, Rizal (18.3℃)
Malaybalay, Bukidnon (19.0°C)
Basco, Batanes (19.1°C)
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (19.4℃)
Abucay, Bataan (19.8°C)
Baler, Aurora (20.5°C)
Sinait, Ilocos Sur (20.5°C)
Science Garden, Quezon City (20.6°C)
Casiguran, Aurora (21.0°C)
PAGASA expects cold surges due to the northeast monsoon until the end of the month.
According to the weather bureau, surface air temperatures are expected to be generally slightly below to slightly above average in most parts of the country except for a few areas that may experience cooler than average (Coron, Romblon and Maasin) and warmer than average (Iba, Dipolog and Misamis Oriental) temperatures from January to March.
PAGASA said that the gradual weakening of the northeast monsoon is expected in March, signaling the onset of dry and warm season in the country because the air temperature will gradually increase.