PHL awaits Amihan as Habagat season ends

PAGASA announced this week the official end of the Habagat southwest monsoon, heralding colder mornings in the months to come.

The Habagat is associated with the country's rainy season, as the monsoon winds bring in rainclouds and thunderstorms across the country.

Although the cessation of the Habagat usually augurs less rainy days towards the end of the year, the ongoing El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) means that the country may still experience above-average rainfall because of the increased likelihood of tropical storms making landfall.

Meanwhile, the Amihan winds bring cold air from the north into the country.

"Recent climate analysis showed that a significant weakening of the Southwest Monsoon wind has been observed over the last few days. Moreover, the strengthening of the high pressure systems over the Asian continent has led to the gradual changing of the season," PAGASA said in a press statement.

The statement, dated October 14, was posted on the PAGASA website on October 21.

"With these developments, the Southwest Monsoon or known locally as 'Habagat' is now officially over," the statement concluded.

In Habagat's place will rise the cold Amihan northeast winds, associated with the chilly Christmas season. However, PAGASA has held off from making an official announcement at this time. — GMA News