MANILA – The Philippines is set to experience cooler days and longer nights as the northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” season approaches.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando explained that the autumnal or fall equinox on September 22 marked the beginning of the earth’s tilt away from the sun. This shift results in longer nights and shorter daytime.
Meteorologically, September 22 signifies the end of the northern hemisphere’s summer and the start of the autumn season. PAGASA recorded sunrise on September 22 at 5:45 AM and sunset at 5:52 PM.
Servando noted that the Philippines, located in the northern hemisphere, can expect the onset of winter on December 21 (winter solstice) until March 20 (vernal or spring equinox). The longest nighttime will occur on December 21, when the earth’s pole reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun.
In terms of temperature, the public can anticipate cooler weather as the “amihan” season approaches. While the “habagat” (southwest monsoon) is still the prevailing weather system, its termination and the onset of “amihan” are expected to occur between the last week of September and the first week of October.
The previous “amihan” season was declared on October 20, 2023, and terminated on March 22.