Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) – The state weather bureau on Thursday declared the end of the “habagat” or southwest monsoon season, marking the transition to “amihan” or northeast monsoon season.
Habagat is when warm, moist winds from the southwest cause rains over the western portion of the country in May to September.
On the other hand, amihan brings cold winds from the northeast causing rains to the eastern side of the country in October to March.
“Recent analyses showed that a significant weakening of the Southwest Monsoon has been observed over the past few days. Moreover, the strengthening of the high-pressure system over East Asia has led to a gradual change in the weather patterns,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Thursday.
“With these developments, the southwest monsoon (habagat) season is now officially over. The season in the Philippines is now in a gradual transition to the northeast monsoon (NE) season and may be apparent and declared in the coming weeks,” it added.
Tropical cyclones and low pressure areas close to the country have enhanced the effects of the southwest monsoon since June.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said that the ongoing El Niño meant a higher likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, while dry spells and droughts in some areas could happen in the the last quarter up to the first quarter next year.
“This may adversely affect the different climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health, public safety, and other key sectors in the country,” the bureau said.
