The seasons work a little differently here in the Philippines. In Northern areas you have rainy season and dry season. Here in Davao, where I live, the weather is roughly the same year around. The amount of rain we get here is roughly equal every month of the year, with slight variations. In the Visayas and Luzon, though, there are definite wet and dry seasons, and you might want to plan your travel around those seasons. Traveling all the way to the Philippines to stay inside where it is dry is not a great vacation!
photo credit: olasisucsd
One thing that is interesting, though, is that Summer here runs from around the beginning of March until mid June or so. This is the hottest time of the year throughout the Philippines. Why? Well, because we are just north of the Equator, which means that summer hits us earlier than in North America or Europe. Both North America and Europe are significantly further north compared to us, and thus it is a little later in the year before the sun has moved that far north of the equator. By the time it is Summer in the north, the hottest of our yearly weather has already passed us by, and we are settling into cooler weather. Now, don’t take me wrong, cool here means a few degrees lower than during the hottest part of the year. It is not a major difference, but it is noticeable.
For those with children in school, summer vacation here in the Philippines also happens at this time of year. Today, as this story is published it is the last day of the school year for my kids, and they will be out for about 2 1/2 months before starting a new school year in June. Oh how time flies!
Hi Bob – If I remember correctly, isn't there a "2nd summer" around Octorber or so (varying by locale) that results from the same Earth/Sun relationship that is experienced in the March-June timeframe? (It's not as pronounced since it's right after rainy season.)
For those of us who love summertime, you can't beat this two-for-one deal! 😆
Hi Paul – I am not aware of any "second summer" as you mention. At least I have never heard it mentioned before until your comment. It would seem to make sense, given the position of the sun/earth.
Ah, I begin to miss summer now there in the Philippines and envy those of my officemates who are taking leaves to spend summer back there with their families and friends. Nothing beats summer there in RP, amidst the vast nice beaches there (unlike here in SG – no definite season and frequent rains).
Hi Jio – Come on up to Davao on Silk Air and visit us here. I promise that you will enjoy the summer here! 😆
Indeedit's ahot one today, Bob … wish Iwas back down there in the Davao breezes. You have to live in a place like the Philippines before you realize the meaning of the word 'tropical'. Gepgraphically, the 'tropics' are the region between the tropic of Caprocorn and the Tropicof Cancer … the only region on earth where the son passes directictly overhead at given times. In North America, when the sun is at it's fartest north oint (~ 21 June) it is still never actually overhead … it is still south of the observer's positon. But here in the Philippines, at around ~11 degrees north latitude, the Sun goes directly overhead twice a year … and it means business in the spring, for sure. Up here in Luzon there does not seem to be that 'second summer' feature, because by October the days are noticeably cooler … we are then in what is traditionally called the 'ber' months … Septem_ber_ through Decem_ber_. Hmm, how many days until September ………
hi… from what i remember.. theres no second summer but there is a school semastral break vacation for 2 weeks during october until early november
Hi Dave Starr – Yep, the nice breezes here in Davao make for a nice break from the mid day heat! I'm glad that you enjoyed your trip to Davao! We enjoyed having you visit here!
Hi Athena – Yeah, I never heard of a second summer either… Like Dave said, it is usually quite a bit cooler here in the Philippines during that time of the year too. I bet you are right and Paul was talking about the semesteral break for the school kids in October!
Speaking of cool. It was a cool rainy day here (ARMM) today. Reminds me of November in Bulacan. Here's a little weather info for this region Southwest Monsoon from June to October, Northeast Monsoon from December to June. February is the coldest month, while May to August are the hottest with a mean relative humidity of 86 %. January to April is the dry period with a monthly average of 7- 9 inches of rainfall.
For most Pinoys, summer means Boracay. Have you been there, Bob? Personally, I'd tell you that – if you haven't been there – you're not missing anything. The essence of nature commercialized and artistocrat-ized!
But summer is the best time of the year for me. Wherever I spend it.
Cheers!
Bob,
Thanks for reminding me! 🙁 I checked the weather in Manila and it's now in the 90's! OMG! I'll be coming in from 40 deg to 90 deg weather! I remember the feeling coming out of the airport – it's like walking into an oven! I'll be packing the usual shorts, tank tops, and lots of sunscreen! oh and bug spray! 😆 See you soon… 😉
Hi Mike K. – You're in the ARMM now? I thought you were out of the country! You certainly get around! 😆
Hi Migs – I agree with you – Boracay is not for me! To "touristy" if you know what I mean.
Hi Tina – Ha ha… the 90's are better than the 40's IMHO! 😆 See you soon!
Bob,
I do get around a bit. I was in the ARMM at that time. Here it is a couple days later and I am in the Northern Mariana Islands… 😆
My goodness, Mike – you REALLY get around! 😆
I have given up on on trying to work out what the weather patterns are like here in the Philippines. I had asked so many inhabitants about the climate and I got just as many different answers. I remember asking my future fiance, does it get cold in iligan city?, her answer was yes it does. So I pack my bags with four jumpers and two jackets LOL. So I end up spending all of my existence walking around shirtless or a just wearing a tank top to go to church or the city LOL. Her idea of cold is 20 – 25 degrees……..
I found a better way of describing the weather here.
1 Very hot and dry
2 Very hot and very humid
3 Very hot, very humid and wet
4 Hot and dry
5 Hot and humid
6 Humid and wet,
7 Humid and rainy
8 Warm, smokey and dry ( the time when people burn everything )
9 Warm and wet
10 Sunny and balmy
11 Cool….. ( only joking )
I think I covered most of it, correct me if I am wrong LOL. The weather, It's OKAY……….you gotta love it.
Hi Peter Mystakas – Personally, I feel that it is natural that your friend told you that it gets cold here. For her, dipping down to 20 degrees or so (C) is cold. For you it is not. Her experiences are different from yous, that’s all.