The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the northeast monsoon, or “amihan” season, may arrive in the Philippines by Wednesday or Thursday, Nov. 20 or 21, ushering in cooler temperatures across the country over the coming months.
In a public weather forecast on Tuesday, Nov. 19, PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said the amihan is a cold wind from mainland Asia, usually prevailing from November to March and reaching its peak from December to February.
He added that the effects of the amihan could be felt across most of Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
It also brings rain mostly over the eastern side of the country.
Meanwhile, Estareja said PAGASA has not monitored any tropical cyclones that may enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the next three days.
He added that the effects of three weather systems—easterlies, northeast wind flow, and shear line—will persist.
From Wednesday to Thursday, scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to be concentrated over extreme Northern Luzon, particularly in Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, due to the shear line—where warm air from the easterlies collides with the cooler winds from the northeast.
Estareja said the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
By Friday, Nov 22, parts of Mindanao, particularly Caraga, Davao, Soccsksargen, and nearby regions, could experience heavy rainfall due to the easterlies.
He warned that this could trigger floods or landslides in the affected areas.
Light to moderate rains are expected over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, while isolated thunderstorms may prevail in other areas.