The southwest monsoon or habagat season has officially ended, the state weather bureau said Monday, as weather patterns gradually shifted and monsoon-related rains weakened across the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said it had observed several changes in the prevailing weather pattern, including the strengthening of a high-pressure system over East Asia and the southward migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
Pagasa also noted weaker winds and declining rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon.
Forecasts indicated these conditions would persist in the coming days, prompting the official termination of the habagat season.
‘In view of this, the habagat season has officially ended,’ Pagasa said. ‘This also marks the termination of the rainy season over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.’
The weather bureau said it would continue to monitor the country’s weather and climatic conditions. It also advised the public and all concerned agencies to regularly monitor relevant weather information.