Amihan season starts with strong Siberian high-pressure area

The state weather bureau PAGASA announced Tuesday that the Northeast Monsoon or 'Amihan' season has started, bringing colder and drier weather across most parts of the Philippines.

According to Pagasa, a high-pressure area over Siberia has strengthened, leading to a surge of northeasterly winds affecting northern Luzon starting Tuesday following the passage of Super Typhoon Pepito.

Pagasa predicts successive surges of northeasterly winds over the next two weeks, increasing atmospheric pressure and cooling surface air temperatures in northern Luzon.

The onset of Amihan signals an increase in rough sea conditions along the seaboards of Luzon in the coming months.

This year's delay was due to tropical cyclones entering the northern part of the country, with the northeast monsoon season typically lasting from October until March or April.

PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel T. Servando noted that changes in global weather patterns such as El Niño can weaken or delay the onset of Amihan.

The agency is currently monitoring potential La Niña conditions developing in the tropical Pacific, which could trigger more rain for the Philippines.