MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday declared the official termination of the southwest monsoon or habagat in the country.
PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said recent analyses showed a significant weakening of the southwest monsoon over the past few days.
Servando added that the strengthening of the high-pressure system over East Asia has been observed, gradually changing the weather patterns in the country.
“With these developments, the southwest monsoon season has officially ended,” Servando said.
According to Servando, the country is now transitioning to the northeast monsoon season, which may be apparent and declared in the coming weeks.
PAGASA weather forecaster Daniel James Villamil has said that the autumn equinox on Sept. 22 signaled the start of longer nights as the holiday season nears.
Villamil added that the country would also start to experience colder weather brought by the northeast monsoon.
He said the northeast monsoon starts in early November and lasts until February.