PH transitions to Amihan season as Habagat ends

The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat season in the country, which started in late May, has officially ended, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.

State meteorologists noted the weakening of the Habagat in the past weeks. It added the country is now transitioning to the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan season.

The Habagat season began on May 30. 

“Recent observations indicate that the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) has been weakening during the past few weeks. Moreover, a gradual change of the country’s weather pattern has been observed due to the strengthening of the high-pressure system over East Asia and the southward migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Forecast models also show this trend in the coming days,” said PAGASA in a statement.

“With these developments, the Habagat season has officially ended. Likewise, this marks the termination of the rainy season over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas. The country is now transitioning to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) season, which will be observed and declared in the coming weeks,” the state weather bureau added. 

The Amihan season is expected to bring cold and dry air to most parts of the country. —VBL, GMA Integrated News