PAGASA announces end of habagat season

Metro Manila, Philippines — Government meteorologists have announced the end of the southwest monsoon, or habagat, season.

In a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said its analyses showed a “significant weakening” of the habagat over the past few days.

It noted a strengthening of the high-pressure system over East Asia, which has gradually changed weather patterns.

“With these developments, the southwest monsoon (habagat) season has officially ended,” it explained.

“The country is now transitioning to the northeast monsoon (NE) season, which may be apparent and declared in the coming weeks,” it added.

During the habagat season, which is usually from May to September, PAGASA said warm moist winds from the southwest may drench the country’s western portion.

On the other hand, during the season of northeast monsoon, or amihan, PAGASA said cold winds from the northeast are expected to bring rains over the eastern side.

The weather bureau said the country is also under a La Niña alert. It said La Niña is “characterized by unusually cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.”