Engr.

Dielene Fajutagana-De Guzman *Bayi*

Climate in the Philippines

The Climate of the Philippines is tropical and maritime. It is characterized by relatively high temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. Temperature, humidity, and rainfall, are the most important elements of the country's weather and climate.

Temperature
The mean annual temperature is 26.6 C. The coolest months fall in January with a mean temperature of 25.5oC while the warmest month occurs in May with a mean temperature of 28.3oC. Altitude shows greater contrast in temperature. Thus, the mean annual temperature of Baguio with an elevation of 1,500 meters is 18.3oC.

Humidity
The Philippines has a high relative humidity. The average monthly relative humidity varies between 71 percent in March and 85 percent in September. It is especially uncomfortable during March to May, when temperature and humidity attain their maximum levels.

Rainfall
Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the Philippines. The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies from 965 to 4,064 millimeters annually. Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao receive the greatest amount of rainfall while the southern portion of Cotabato receives the least amount of rain.

At General Santos City in Cotabato, the average annual rainfall is only 978 millimeters.

The Seasons

the rainy season, from June to November

the dry season, from December to May

the cool dry season, from December to

February the hot dry season, from March to May

Climate Types

Typhoons have a great influence on the climate and weather conditions of the Philippines. A great portion of the rainfall, humidity and cloudiness are due to the influence of typhoons. They generally originate in the region of the Marianas and Caroline Islands of the Pacific Ocean which have the same latitudinal location as Mindanao. Their movements follow a northwesterly direction, sparing Mindanao from being directly hit by majority of the typhoons that cross the country. This makes the southern Philippines very desirable for agriculture and industrial development.