With the season finally being felt, forecaster Bernie de Leon of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said that the lowest temperature in Metro Manila on Thursday was recorded at 21.7 degrees Celsius.

Earlier, Pagasa said that the cold weather is likely to settle in during the third week of December and peak in January.

In past weeks, the weather in Metro Manila was warm despite the northeast monsoon affecting parts of Luzon.

Pagasa said that the warm weather was due to the warm winds from the east affecting parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

The cold weather brought by the northeast monsoon is associated with the Christmas season. The Philippines is known for having the world’s longest Christmas season.