What's the weather like on Chinese New Year?

As the country celebrates Chinese New Year on Saturday, Feb. 10, the easterlies are expected to remain the dominant weather system in Metro Manila and the rest of the country, while the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will bring cooler temperatures to parts of Northern Luzon.

“Ito naman easterlies o yung mainit na hangin galing sa Karagatang Pasipiko ang weather system na iiral sa mga nalalabing bahagi ng ating bansa (The easterlies or the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean will be the prevailing weather system in the remaining parts of our country),” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Daniel James Villamil.

Villamil noted that there is also a chance of localized thunderstorms or sudden and temporary downpours in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

“May tsansa pa din ng light rains o dagliang pag-ambon na dala ng amihan dito sa nalalabing bahagi ng Northern Luzon (There's still a chance of light rains or brief drizzles brought by the northeast monsoon in the remaining parts of Northern Luzon),” Villamil said.

Generally fair weather due to easterlies

PAGASA said the easterlies are expected to persist over the rest of the country, bringing warm and humid conditions with chances of afternoon thunderstorms.

“Dahil sa Easterlies, maaliwalas ang panahon na ating inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng bansa (Because of the Easterlies, fair weather is expected in a large part of the country),” Villamil said.

However, PAGASA noted that partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to easterlies and localized thunderstorms may also be experienced in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Effects of ‘amihan’

While fair weather conditions are expected over the rest of the country, PAGASA stated that the northeast monsoon will continue to influence weather patterns in Northern Luzon, bringing cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall to the region.

“Patuloy natin mararanasan ang epekto ng Northeast Monsoon o yung malamig na hanging amihan dito sa malaking bahagi ng Northern Luzon (We will continue to experience the effects of the Northeast Monsoon or the cold north wind here in a large part of Northern Luzon),” Villamil said.

PAGASA noted that Northern Luzon can expect the northeast monsoon to continue influencing the region, maintaining cooler temperatures and intermittent rainfall.

Batanes and Cagayan, for instance, can expect cloudy skies with light rains due to the northeast monsoon.

Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to “amihan” may also be experienced in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.