RSS Feeds: The Three Seasons of Weather in the Philippines
We all know there are four seasons of weather: Spring, summer, winter and fall (or autumn). In countries like the Philippines, however, the four seasons aren't recognized as such. Officially or unofficially, it really doesn't matter. What matters is what the people living in the Philippines recognize.
The Seasons
The three seasons in the Philippines are:
- Hot Season (tag-init or tag-araw) – March to May
- Rainy Season (tag-ulan) – June to November
- Cold Season (tag-lamig) – December to February
The Perception of Cold or Hot
When I lived in Phoenix, AZ, USA, I used to laugh at the people that were called "snowbirds" — people who came to Phoenix for the winter from places where it was much colder. The snowbirds would walk around in t-shirts and shorts when everyone else was wearing heavy clothing, sweaters and jackets. It was amusing, but understandable. The temperature rarely went lower than freezing in Phoenix and these people came from places where it was always below freezing in the winter. They had more brown fat on their bodies, which served to insulate them from the cold.
I've been living here for more than three years. For me, it's almost always either warm or hot. The Filipinos are running around in sweaters and jackets during the cold season while I'm wearing a t-shirt. I guess I could be considered something like a "snowbird", but not coming from a place where it snows. Of course, I'm adapting to the climate more and more as time progresses. Acclimation is a wonderful thing. Perhaps I'll be wearing a jacket (and I have nice, warm leather jacket hanging in my closet) during the cold season in a few years.
Keeping Tabs on the Weather
Most of the bad weather in the Philippines occurs during the rainy season (but not always). That's when the tropical storms and typhoons like to roll in, destroy things and kill people. There is a website that I visit almost every day, to find out what the current state of the weather is: The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
Looking at the satellite map they provide, I can tell whether it's safe for me to be running around in Olongapo. I ignore the fact that a lot of Filipinos are running around regardless of the weather, aching to be another statistic, and stay home when I don't believe it's safe to be out there.
Right now, as I write this, it's the rainy season in the Philippines. People are taking showers, with bar soap and shampoo, in the rain and all kinds of things you would never see happening in the US. I'm staying indoors, where I'm comfortable and dry.
Similar Posts:
hahaha it's funny when you mentioned you'll see people with bar soaps and shampoo under heavy rains.
YOu left out kids buck naked running around splashing on puddles.
In Hawaii, rain is a constant occurance in the afternoon and my kids loved to run around in our fenced in backyard.
But when we moved to Fort Bragg,N.C. just after a week or so,
it started to rain….a freaking storm was coming our way.
My kids started running around and playing, I even joined them.(minus the shampoo and bar soap)
Next thing we know, a Military Police car stopped and warned us not to continue. hahahaha.
So freaking retarded but yeah, I guess it's weird to see a 3/4 of a family playing under the storm here eh????
Thanks for the wonderful Blog.
God Bless,
Welch
Very good country to visit very nice weather in philpine
My last blog: Bob Marley Quotes
Its true that Philippines is really a wonderful country to visit.last year i went there,and i spend some beautiful days of my life.
i wish my country at least have another season. if god give me power to select the fourth weather in the world. of course winter.
nice post.
I will like to experience the three seasons of weather in the Philippines.
Hi,
Now a days the the north pole is getting over heat and melting the ice pergs. Slowly the climates of the world not only in philippines are changing vigorously. When summer, it is too hot, when winter, it is too cold, when rainy, over rain and in spring no air.
My last blog: Can the Acai Berry Help Cure Common Illnesses and Thyroid
Thanks for sharing those ideas. I would also like to try to visit Philippines to experience its simple yet memorable seasons. I shouldn't forget the bar soaps too.
We just got back from the Philippines Sept. 19 2009 and experiences the rainy season. We were doing buying appliances and furniture for our zambales home and had to go back and forth to the "smuggler" stores in Manila. On the way back from Manila on the new expressway we experiences a FULL BLOWN TROPICAL storm. Yes, we drove and said to heck with it. IT rained so hard and it was at night on a brightly lit road and we couldn't see 12 inches outside our windows. I can only compare the rain to pouring buckets of water on my head three gallons at a time. What was interesting is all the toll booths were fully manned and ready to collect money. We made it to the SBMA and stayed in the Marine Barracks, or now called hotel Venecia. The hotel happens to be the best in the Philippines with great flush, hot water and water pressure!
you are so lucky…you missed two of the most desctructive moonsoon storms in the philippines….you missed it by 7 days.
Actually, because of where Olongapo City and Subic Bay are situated, we rarely get affected by any storms. We've had a couple of floods, but that's it.