Summer could start end of March – PAGASA

Dry or summer season could start by the third or last week of March.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Lanie Bitagun, the northeast monsoon or amihan will still prevail over parts of Luzon within the next few days.

The amihan will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains over Batanes and Babuyan islands this Tuesday.

Bitagun said another surge of amihan will affect Northern Luzon in the coming days but the temperature will not be as cold as the past weeks.

The amihan is gradually weakening and by the third or last week of March, Bitagun said PAGASA may declare the termination of the northeast monsoon or amihan season, and the official onset of dry season in the country.

The end of amihan season follows the prevalence of weather systems associated with the warm weather, particularly the ridge of high pressure area and easterly winds.

Last year, PAGASA declared the end of amihan on April 10.

Meanwhile, PAGASA is also monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) around 1,060 kilometers east of General Santos City.

Bitagun said the LPA has a minimal chance of entering the Philippine area of responsibility or developing into a tropical cyclone.

However, the trough or extension of the LPA may bring isolated rain showers over eastern Mindanao.