Cooler days ahead – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos can expect cooler days ahead as the northeast monsoon sets in, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) administrator Nathaniel Servando said the northeast monsoon is now the dominant or prevailing wind system in the country.

The northeast monsoon brings dry and cool weather in the Philippines from October to February.

“It was the prevailing wind since Oct. 26. It arrived slightly earlier and was triggered by tropical storm ‘Ofel’,” Servando said in a text message to The STAR.

“We can expect cooler weather and more rains in the northeastern side of Luzon,” he said.

Aside from cooler temperatures, Servando also urged the public to brace for two to four more tropical cyclones before the end of the year.

He said based on historical records, about two to four more cyclones hit the country during this time of the year and normally cross the Visayas-Northern Mindanao area.

A total of 15 cyclones have entered the country so far this year.

The Philippines lies within the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific, according to PAGASA. An average of 19 to 20 cyclones visit the country every year.