BAGUIO CITY – The mercury level of the thermometer in the country’s undisputed Summer Capital started to slowly go down after it was able to record 11.4 degrees Celsius as the coldest temperature early Saturday morning.
The local office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the latest recorded temperature in the city was the lowest so far for the new year although the same is expected to go much lower in the coming weeks because of the expected enhancement of the northeast monsoon due to the upcoming end of the winter season in Siberia.
From the usual over 13 degrees Celsius lowest recorded temperature in the city over the past several weeks, the weather bureau was able to register a significant drop in the city’s lowest temperature that prompted residents and visitors alike to bring out from their lockers much thicker clothes to combat the serious negative effects of the cool weather condition to their health.
PAGASA weather specialists predicted that the temperature in other highly elevated areas in Baguio and Benguet was lower by at least 2 to 3 degrees Celsius compared to the prevailing temperature in the city, thus, the threats of the possible occurrence of frosts on the agricultural crops of farmers, especially those that are on their vegetative, flowering and harvestable stages, will likely happen once the lowest temperature that will prevail will be single digit.
The lowest temperature in the city that was recorded by the weather bureau was 6.3 degrees Celsius on January 18, 1961.
The cool weather condition in the city starts to prevail from November to March every year although the recorded lowest temperature is registered from January to February depending the dictates of the weather pattern that will exist during the said year.
According to them, individuals having cold day illnesses start to significantly increase during the cold months that is why the City Health Services Office continues to issue reminders for both residents and tourists alike to always keep themselves warm by wearing thick clothes and keeping their immune system strong by eating the right kind of food.
During the regular months of the year, the normal lowest temperature in the city being recorded by PAGASA ranges from 15 to 17 degrees Celsius.
The cool weather condition that prevails in the city is one of its major natural pull for visitors from the lowlands to frequently visit the city for them to be able to spend a well-deserved brake and escape from the scorching heat of their places.
By Dexter A. See
Photo by Armando M. Bolislis
