PAGASA: Cold days ahead

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos can expect colder weather this month until February due to the northeast monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

In Metro Manila, the temperature may drop to 18 degrees Celsius, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.

The temperature in Baguio City may further dip to 9 degrees Celsius this month. The coldest recorded so far in the city this northeast monsoon season was 10.4 degrees Celsius.

The northeast monsoon, cold air from Siberia, peaks between January and February.

The coldest days in Metro Manila were recorded on Feb. 4, 1987 and on Dec. 30, 1988, when the temperature plunged to 15.1 degrees Celsius, data from PAGASA showed.

The coldest weather in Baguio on record was 6.3 degrees Celsius on Jan. 18, 1961.