MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau PAGASA reported on Friday, March 6, 2026, that the northeast monsoon, locally known as the amihan, is forecast to intensify and bring cooler winds and light rain to a larger portion of Luzon beginning Saturday, March 7.
As of Friday morning, the amihan was primarily affecting only the Extreme Northern Luzon region (Batanes and Babuyan Islands). However, a new surge is expected to expand its reach.
- Forecast Expansion: By Saturday, the effects of the monsoon are expected to cover the entire Northern Luzon area.
- Local Impact: Residents can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains and a noticeable drop in temperature.
Despite this resurgence, weather specialists note that the amihan season is nearing its end.
- The Role of “Easterlies”: Currently, Metro Manila and the rest of the country are experiencing warm and humid weather due to the easterlies (warm winds from the Pacific).
- What’s Next: While this surge provides a brief reprieve from the heat, PAGASA expects to officially declare the start of the warm and dry season (summer) later this March as the monsoon permanently weakens.
PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres confirmed that no low-pressure areas (LPA) or tropical cyclones are currently being monitored inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for the next 24 to 48 hours.