Weather Today – January 2, 2015 | LPA exits PAR; cold weather greets 2015

As of 1:00 AM today, the low pressure area (LPA) has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). This LPA was the former Seniang, the last tropical cyclone that entered the PAR last year. Meanwhile, two weather systems will affect the country today, including the tail end of a cold front and the northeast monsoon or amihan that prevails over Luzon.

Due to the gradual intensification of amihan, the tail end of a cold front slightly moved downward, bringing cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas. Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia, will bring light rains over the Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains while the rest of the country will have generally fair weather aside from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Sea travel is still risky in the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the Visayas, as well as the eastern, western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon. Wave height could reach up to 3.4 to 4.5 meters, with wind force ranging from 52 to 63 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier said that this month, the average number of tropical cyclones that may enter PAR is 0 to 1. A cyclone normally moves towards Visayas but there will be an instance that it may also re-curve upward, away from the landmass.

Cold weather greeted the new year yesterday. Here are the 5 lowest temperatures recorded on the 1st day of 2015:

This morning, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz shared that Baguio City’s temperature dropped to 11°C at 2:00 AM while 20.3°C was recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City.

As amihan peaks this month, the minimum temperatures and colder days are usually felt during this part of the year. However, aside from the chill, this weather system will also bring light rains over the affected areas.