Temperature drops to 18.5ºC in Metro

MANILA, Philippines - The temperature in Metro Manila yesterday fell to 18.5 degrees Celsius, the coldest recorded in the country’s capital since the northeast monsoon season started last October, the state weather bureau said.

Mark Calpo, weather observer at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the lowest temperature was experienced in the metropolis at 6 a.m.

Yesterday’s coldest temperature surpassed the 18.9 degrees Celsius recorded in Metro Manila last Jan. 10 and 11.

The reading was recorded in the vicinity of the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City.

In Baguio City, the temperature dropped last Saturday to 10.4 degrees Celsius, the coldest recorded in the country’s summer capital so far this year.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau advised the public to brace for much colder weather in the coming weeks due to the surge of the northeast monsoon.

PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar earlier said the public may experience the coldest temperatures this northeast monsoon season between this week and the second week of February.

PAGASA noted that the months of January and February are generally the coldest in the Philippines.

The agency said it expects a gradual weakening of the northeast monsoon during the early part of March.

“During the January-February-March season, rainfall conditions will likely be way below to below normal over most parts of the country, while patches of near normal rainfall may be observed in Sorsogon, Masbate, most parts of Central Visayas and Caraga region,” PAGASA said.