NEWSFLASH

BAGUIO TEMPERATURE DIPS TO 7-YEAR LOW

Baguio City, Feb. 2, 2000 - The temperature in Baguio City fell last Jan. 29 to a nippy 9.4 degrees Centigrade, the lowest in seven years. That's some 20 degrees lower than the average Manila temperature.

The cold wave has hit other parts of the country, with temperatures falling to 17.9 degrees in Metro Manila and 16.8 degrees in Tagaytay last Jan. 30.

The last week of January saw the temperatures at 14.4, 13.4, 14, 12.4, 12.6, 10.6 and then at 9.8 degrees.

The big chill in Baguio came on Saturday, Jan. 29, when the temperatures settled on a low 9.4.

Weather specialist Salvador Olinares said the normal temperature in this resort city is between 15-28 degrees, with the mean temperature at 18 degrees.

"The cold spell will last until February. By experience, the warm moist air will start flowing in by March as the transition period approaches when the northeast monsoon changes to the tradewinds season," PAGASA forecaster Bobby Rivera said.

In Central Luzon temperatures fell to as low as 17 degrees.

In the upland Western villages just within the Zambales-Pampanga-Tarlac-Pangasinan mountain boundaries, Aetas can be seen wearing thick clothes and sweaters over their usual tribal attire. Rivera said the cold spell is being brought about by the winter season in the northern hemisphere, including continental Asia.

The northeast monsoon and the Siberian winds are ushering in the cold air from continental Asia.

The cold mornings may last till the end of the month, during which time temperatures may dip even further.

Last year's coldest day was on Feb. 4, with thermometers registering a low 10 degrees.

But the coldest day in Baguio in the '90s dawned on Jan. 24, 1993, with a chilly 7.4 degrees.