Starts to feel like X-Mas: 'Amihan' now here, colder mornings seen ahead

MANILA, Philippines - More than two months before Christmas day, the state weather bureau said the northeast monsoon or "Amihan" season in the country has officially started.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 24-hour public weather forecast on Friday that the northwest monsoon is now affecting northern Luzon.

The weather system is usually associated with the Christmas season due to the cooler temperature.

PAGASA said the development and strengthening of high pressure areas over mainland China have shifted the wind direction over Luzon to northeasterlies, bringing cold and dry air over the northern part of the country.

This resulted in the lowering of the minimum temperature observed over the extreme northern Luzon area.

"These meteorological conditions normally signify the start of the northeast monsoon season," PAGASA said.

The agency added that colder early morning temperatures in the coming days and months are likely to be felt over Luzon, with chances of light rains especially over the northern and eastern sections.

PAGASA said the Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley will experience scattered light rains today.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rains or thunderstorms.

The weather bureau said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere in the country, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas.