Colder days ahead; Amihan is coming

Despite the warm air of El Niño, colder days are expected in the coming weeks.

According to PAGASA, the country is currently in the transition period. But what does this mean?

Transition period is a phase where masses of cold and dry air and warm, humid air meet. This point is called the frontal system, which normally brings rain showers.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez states that the cold front is usually the precursor of the amihan or northeast monsoon. When the tail end of a cold front affects Luzon or Visayas areas, this means that the northeast monsoon is slowly affecting the Extreme Northern Luzon, and will eventually move southward.

The onset of northeast monsoon will happen somewhere between the last week of October and the first week of November, and will peak in the month of either January or February.

Amihan is responsible for lower temperatures, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China. During amihan season, cirrus clouds dominate the sky, bringing good weather. Compared to the southwest monsoon season, fewer thunderstorms are likely to happen during this season.

Last year, the onset of amihan was declared on October 16, 2014.