Cooler days ahead: PAGASA declares onset of 'Amihan'

MANILA, Philippines - Expect cooler weather in the coming days with the onset of the northeast monsoon or "Amihan," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Thursday.

In an advisory, PAGASA said the development of high pressure system over mainland China had shifted the wind direction over Luzon to northeasterlies, bringing cold and dry air over the northern part of the country.

This caused the lowering of the minimum temperature recorded over the Extreme Northern Luzon area. Meanwhile, strong to gale force northeasterly winds have been observed over the seaboard of Northern Luzon.

"These meteorological conditions normally signify the start of the Northeast Monsoon season," PAGASA said.

"Colder early morning temperature in the coming days and months are likely to be felt over Luzon, with chances of light rains especially over the Northern and Eastern section," it added.

Weather conditions over the rest of the country will be generally fair apart from isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

According to PAGASA, the amihan affects the eastern portions of the country from October up to late March.

It starts over Siberia as a cold, dry air mass but gathers moisture as it travels across the Pacific Ocean before reaching the eastern sections of the Philippines.