MANILA, Philippines - People around the world will experience later this month the so-called “vernal equinox†which marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights in the northern hemisphere, including the Philippines.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the sun reaches the “vernal equinox†at 7:02 p.m. on March 20.
The vernal equinox, which happens on March 19, 20 or 21 every year, marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere.
During the vernal equinox, the sun crosses the earth’s equator, making night and day of approximately equal length.
The term “equinox†is derived from the Latin word “aequus†which means equal, and “nox,†which means night.
PAGASA said it will officially declare the onset of summer or dry season once the easterlies become the dominant wind system in the country.
The northeast monsoon – which brings cold winds from China and Siberia to the country — has continued to weaken, according to PAGASA.
Easterlies are warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean.
PAGASA said the northeast monsoon will continue to affect Luzon in the next few days, bringing cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers particularly over the regions of Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen.
It said Cagayan Valley, the Bicol region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light rains until today.
The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, the agency said.