Amazing to tourists, annoying to farmers: How is frost formed?

Some crops were covered in frost due to the extreme cold weather in Benguet province, wherein the temperature dropped to 10°C on Monday.

According to PAGASA, the coldness of the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) may be felt in some parts of the country in the coming weeks.

In Mav Gonzales’ Monday report on “24 Oras,” tourists were amazed by the frost that covered some flowers in Atok, Benguet.

The temperature in La Trinidad, Benguet dropped to 10.6°C, the lowest in the country since the Amihan season started.

Although tourists were amazed, the frost was an inconvenience to farmers as their crops will be destroyed because the formation of frost or andap on vegetables means these are losing a source of water.

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estereja said once the temperature drops early morning, water vapor on the soil can turn into ice crystals.

He added that the frost currently seen in Benguet is only temporary, as it typically occurs when the temperature is more or less 10°C.

PAGASA said a 7.5°C temperature may occur in Benguet from January to the first half of February as stronger winds brought about by the Amihan are expected in the coming weeks.

Frost is expected to occur more frequently in January in the Cordillera region.

The lowest temperature recorded so far in Metro Manila was 21.6°C on Saturday, and it is expected to be low in the coming days.

Estereja said a hot afternoon will persist, from 30°C up to 32°C maximum temperature will prevail.

The Amihan will still affect the weather conditions of Metro Manila in the coming days.

“Partly cloudy to cloudy skies. May mga tsansa ng pag-ulan lalo na po sa bisperas at araw mismo ng bagong taon,” Estereja said.

(Partly cloudy to cloudy skies. There is a chance of rain, especially on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News