PAGASA: 'Aphelion Phenomenon' not linked to cold weather

The state weather bureau on Monday clarified the “viral misinformation” circulating on social media about the so-called “Aphelion Phenomenon” and its supposed correlation to the cold weather.

In a statement issued by PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando, the state weather bureau said astronomical shifts such as the Earth’s orbital position “do not dictate short-term weather patterns.”

The statement sought to debunk social media posts which claimed that the “Aphelion Phenomenon” would cause cold weather until August of this year.

PAGASA explained that Earth’s elliptical orbit around the sun results in two distinct points of distance known as apsides.

Perihelion or the point where Earth is closest to the sun, occurred on January 4 at a distance of approximately 147,099,949.18 km.

“Conversely, Aphelion, the point where Earth is farthest from the sun, is projected for July 7, 2026, at a distance of 152,087,737.57 km. Although the distance varies, the axial tilt of the Earth would be the dominant factor in seasonal change, not its orbital distance,” the state weather bureau said.

It added: “The tilt dictates the angle of solar incidence and the duration of daylight, which have a far more profound effect on global temperatures than the slight difference in distance during Aphelion or Perihelion.”

In January, the country experienced cold weather in January with the lowest temperature of 19.2°C recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden on January 29. This is due to the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan.

PAGASA said this synoptic-scale weather system is characterized by cold, dry air masses from high-pressure areas in East Asia and is the primary driver of the current cool climate.

The cold Amihan winds affect the country from October to March, after which the weather shifts as the easterlies take over and bring the warm, moist air characteristic of the upcoming months.

The state weather bureau called on the public to remain vigilant and not to spread “fake news and unverified scientific claims.”

“The agency remains committed to providing accurate, data-driven information regarding both meteorological and astronomical events,” it added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News