Philippines Climate, Temperature, Humidity and the Seasons.

Philippines Climate, when is the best time to visit and enjoy the Philippine Islands?



The Philippines climate is tropical. It can be divided roughly into two distinct seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. Now I say it is roughly divided into two seasons as there are always exceptions to this rule. The area inland in the mountains for example, are relatively cool with no where near the humidity of the coast.

So remember, if you are on the coast the humidity will be more extreme than in the mountains of central Luzon.

Moving right along, the climate of the Philippines

The Philippines climate is hot and humid all year round, it does not matter whether you are in the rainy or the dry season you will still have to deal with the ever present heat and humidity.

Since the Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands the climate for Philippines can vary considerably from one part to the next. For the most part it has two major seasons:
  • The dry season.

  • The rainy or wet season.


Lets have a look at the Dry Season.

Philippines Climate - Dry Season

The Philippines dry season starts in December and runs through to about June. This period does not encounter any monsoons, you do however have the consistent trade winds blowing which are generally dry. Don't let this fool you as you are in the tropics and rain can fall every day. If it does rain in the dry season it will usually be a nice afternoon shower to cool you down and wash the dust away, more relieving than anything else.

Within the Philippines dry season you will encounter two distinct differences. During the months of December to February you can expect cool and dry weather. January is the coolest month of the year, when I say coolest you can expect a temperature around 25 degrees Celsius, which is really quite nice.

From March to June you can expect hot and dry weather. May is the hottest month of the year, you can expect temperatures in the high thirties and even low forty degree Celsius and at night if it gets below 27 degrees Celsius then you are lucky. Make sure you have air conditioning.

Is this a good time to visit?

You bet it is, the Philippines climate is the best during the months of December to May, the ideal month is March just before the heat and humidity really starts to kick in.

If you are travelling in May I suggest you head up to the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio. This is where the majority of the rich in Manila travel, so they can escape the heavy humidity and heat on the coast.

Philippines Climate - Rainy or Wet Season

After the high humidity and heat of the months May and June it is not surprising that something has to give, it just cannot stay this sticky forever and you are right. The season will break, usually in July. It is July through to November that the rains come and boy do they come. These rains are called monsoons and are a constant wind bringing rain.

Each year during the monsoons the Philippines climate also attracts typhoons which batter the Pacific eastern coastline of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and to a lesser extent Mindanao. The typhoons come in from the Western Pacific in a north-westerly direction, they also whip up the Philippines surf.

Is this a good time to visit?

If you are travelling during July, August and September, expect rain everyday. One of the good aspects of travel during the rainy and wet season is the cloud cover. I know, I know you want the sun, but don't forget the sun can be pretty unforgiving in the tropics and after half an hour of unprotected sun exposure your holiday could be bound for the indoors in any event. So consider the cloud cover as a time to enjoy the outdoors without getting burnt bright red like a cooked lobster. The clouds can be your friend, shielding you from the harshest direct sun and also providing cooler temperatures. A pretty good bonus if you ask me.

Also don't forget that it will be less frequented, it is the offical off season so the resorts will be quieter and cheaper and that has to be good!

The down side of course is the rain and the odd storm, but typical of tropical climates, the afternoon showers are a relief and something to look forward to. There is nothing better than having a cool drink overlooking the deep blue of the ocean watching the storm build and break and then disappear, it is better than watching the next blockbuster at the cinema.

Philippine Typhoon

This cycle during the Philippines climate of wet season, dry season and Philippine typhoons are very distinct. The Philippine Typhoon or bagyo in tagalog, are just spoiling for a fight from July to October. The devastation they create each year is shattering on both an emotional scale and financial.

These typhoons in the Philippines come in from the Western Pacific Ocean and only effect the eastern coastline of the Philippine Islands. The typhoon winds can generate speeds of more than 130 km/hour with the actual typhoon moving at a speed across the water and coastal lowlands close to 25km/hour. So you can imagine the destruction they can cause in rural communities where housing is made from local produce.

Maybe it is fitting but the Philippine Typhoons are all given female names, I'm not sure of the reason behind this, well maybe I can guess.....

There are three levels of typhoon activity of intensities. Yes you guessed it 1, 2 and 3, with 1 being the weakest of the three.

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