THE temperature in Metro Manila dropped to 19.6 degrees Celsius Tuesday morning due to Siberian winds brought by the northeast monsoon, locally called Amihan, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Pagasa weather observer Mark Calpo said that Tuesday’s temperature in Metro Manila was recorded at 19.6 degrees Celsius at 6:30 a.m.—the lowest temperature for the month of December compared to Monday’s temperature of 20.0 degrees Celsius.
He said Metro Manila’s temperature readings are recorded daily at the Pagasa Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Calpo explained that strong winds of the northeast monsoon contributed to the dip in temperature reading and is expected in the metropolis until mid-February.
The lowest temperature recorded in Metro Manila for this year at 18.0 degrees Celsius was last Feb. 2, Calpo said.
Pagasa said the all-time lowest temperature recorded in Metro Manila was at 14.9 degrees Celsius on March 1,1963.
Meanwhile, Baguio City, the country’s summer capital, continues to experience chilly temperature as Tuesday temperature was recorded at 12.8 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m.
The lowest temperature recorded this year in Baguio was last Jan. 24 at 10.4 degrees Celsius.
According to the Pagasa’s climatological record, Baguio’s coldest temperature ever recorded was at 6.3 degrees on Jan. 18, 1961.
The northeast monsoon or seasonal winds from the northeast is the cold air from Siberia that starts blowing into the country every mid-October. It usually peaks from early January to mid-February.
Pagasa weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said the effect of northeast monsoon are so far concentrated in northern Luzon but it will also bring cold mornings in other parts of Luzon including Metro Manila.
