The northeast monsoon, or “hanging amihan,” continues to weaken and is now affecting only the northern and central parts of Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday.
Pagasa said the amihan may soon be replaced by the southwest monsoon, bringing warm and humid easterlies, although the agency has yet to officially declare the end of the season.
Weather forecaster Chenel Dominguez said the monsoon may be limited to extreme Northern Luzon by Thursday, with most parts of the country expected to experience warmer and more humid conditions.
She added that a gradual increase in the heat index is likely, particularly in Mindanao.
A heat index measures the level of discomfort caused by the combined effects of temperature and humidity.
“As the northeast monsoon weakens, we expect a large part of the country to experience an increase in the heat index,” Dominguez said.
The northeast monsoon will still bring cloudy skies with light rains over Batanes, Cagayan, and Isabela, while Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, and the rest of Cagayan Valley may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
The rest of the country will generally have fair weather.
Pagasa noted that a recent cold surge brought temperatures down to 17.1°C in Metro Manila and other areas, but cooler conditions may still be felt, especially at night and early morning, despite the gradual weakening of the amihan.
