The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the country is currently experiencing the last surge of the northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” which is expected to bring rains and slightly cooler temperatures over the next few days.
The final stretch of the amihan season signals the approaching warm and dry season, which may begin by the end of March.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando on Friday, March 21 explained that while temperatures are gradually rising in some parts of the country, the effects of the northeast monsoon are still being felt over Luzon, which is why the official declaration of the warm and dry season has not yet been made.
However, he added that the shift to the warm and dry season could be officially declared before the end of March or possibly in early April, as it typically follows the end of the amihan season.
While the warm and dry season usually begins around mid-March, historical data from PAGASA shows that it has also been declared in April in previous years, such as on April 5, 2017 and April 10, 2018.
In its weather outlook for March 21-28, PAGASA said the shear line, amihan, and easterlies will continue to affect various parts of the country.
From March 21 to 23, PAGASA said scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms due to the shear line—a weather system formed by the collision of cold winds from the northeast monsoon (amihan) and warm breezes from the Pacific Ocean (easterlies)—are expected in Visayas, Sorsogon, Albay, and Catanduanes.
The amihan may bring cloudy skies with isolated light rains to Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, and the rest of the Bicol Region.
The rest of the country can expect fair weather, with the possibility of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
From March 24 to 25, PAGASA said the shear line will shift northward, affecting parts of Luzon and Visayas.
Cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, and Quezon.
Cagayan Valley will continue to experience light rains from the amihan, while the easterlies will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to Caraga and Davao Region.
The rest of the country will continue to experience fair weather, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
From March 26 to 28, PAGASA said the shear line is expected to dissipate and the easterlies will become the dominant weather system.
The easterlies will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Sorsogon, and Albay.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience warm conditions, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.