Tropical Update

Issued (1030 UTC) 630pm PhT 011913
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Dry and cool weather continues to dominate much of the Philippines due to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan). Over the past two days, several cities recorded their coldest temperature this year. Baguio recorded a morning low of 9.5 degrees Celsius yesterday whilst a morning low of 18.8 degrees Celsius was recorded at the Manila International Airport. Cold mornings will continue this weekend before a gradual warmup occurs by early part of next week.

IR Image from NOAA

Meanwhile, farther to the south, the tail-end of the cold front continues to spawn widespread rains across parts of Mindanao. Parts of Surigao, Bukidnon, Misamis, and Davao Regions are reporting light to moderate rains since this morning. Showers have also been reported across Western and Southern Mindanao. Fortunately, much of the rains have generally been light (30 to 50mm in the past 24 hours), although we will probably see precipitation continue into tomorrow.

For the latest radar images and rainfall forecasts, please click HERE

3-Day Forecast (NOT OFFICIAL!)

We expect dry conditions to continue across Luzon over the next three days with small chances for a passing shower during the afternoon and evening hours. Again, temperatures will still be seasonably cool but will be warmer than the temps seen last week. Visayas will also have generally clear skies with only isolated storms to worry about in the afternoon hours. Chances for rain will increase by Tuesday as the effects of the easterlies are forecast to increase once again. For Mindanao, rains because of the cold front will continue tonight and into tomorrow before tapering off by Monday. Showers are forecast to return, especially across Eastern Mindanao, by Tuesday.

We'll have another update on Tuesday, January 22.