PAGASA declares end of Habagat season

State weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday officially announced the end of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) season.

In a statement, PAGASA said that recent analyses showed a ''significant weakening" of Habagat in the past few days, and the strengthening of the high-pressure system over East Asia has resulted in a ''gradual change in the weather patterns.''

''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,'' PAGASA said. 

The Habagat season began in June.

Meanwhile, the ongoing El Niño phenomenon increases the chance of below-normal rainfall conditions, ''which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country'' between the last quarter of the year and the first quarter of 2024, it said. 

“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 statement said.

PAGASA said it would continue to monitor the country's weather and climatic conditions and urged the public and all concerned agencies to check for updates.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News