MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, has resurged and is currently affecting the extreme northern portion of Luzon, bringing a return of cooler temperatures and light rains to the region.
According to the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on March 3, 2026:
- Affected Areas: The surge is primarily felt in Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.
- Weather Impact: These areas can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
- Temperatures: While most of the country is beginning to transition toward the warm-dry season (summer), the resurgence of the amihan provides a brief reprieve from the rising heat in the north.
- Metro Manila & The Rest of Luzon: The easterlies (warm winds from the Pacific Ocean) remain the dominant weather system. These regions will experience generally fair weather with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon or evening.
- Visayas & Mindanao: Similar to the rest of Luzon, the easterlies will bring warm and humid conditions with localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio noted earlier this week that while the amihan season is in its waning phase, surges like this are still common in early March. The northeast monsoon typically lasts from October until late March.
- Maritime Warning: Strong to moderate winds may prevail over the northern seaboard, causing moderate to rough sea conditions. Fishermen and those with small seacrafts are advised to take precautions when venturing out to sea in extreme Northern Luzon.
As of today, no low-pressure areas (LPA) or tropical cyclones are being monitored within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).