Nights longer after Sept. 22 autumnal equinox

MANILA, Philippines - Nights will be longer after the Sept. 22 autumnal equinox, the weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its monthly astronomical diary: “Philippine nights will be longer as the sun approaches the celestial equator.”

PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said: “Autumnal equinox will occur on Sept. 22 when day and night will have equal length on Earth.

“It is the transition towards winter in the northern hemisphere. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, the days will begin getting shorter after the autumn equinox and the nights will grow longer.”

This astronomical event signifies the approach of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.

This is the time when the Earth tilts upward on its axis, exposing the countries below the equator to more sun and those above it to less sun.

Meanwhile, Servando said the country will experience a transition from southwesterly wind to northeasterly wind later this month.

“We will experience the transition period during the second half of September,” he said.

From October to February, the northeast monsoon brings cool and dry weather to the country.