The Philippines does not have four seasons like temperate countries — it has two monsoons. The Amihan and the Habagat are the dominant wind systems that determine when it rains, how hard it rains, and which parts of the archipelago are affected. Understanding these two systems is fundamental to understanding Philippine weather.

What Is the Amihan?

The Amihan (pronounced ah-mee-HAN) is the northeast monsoon — a cool, dry wind that blows from the northeast across the South China Sea and into the Philippines. It typically arrives in November and persists until February or March, though in some years it can extend into April.

The Amihan brings cooler temperatures to northern and eastern parts of the Philippines. Baguio City, which sits at 1,500 metres above sea level in the Cordillera mountains, can experience temperatures as low as 10°C during peak Amihan months. In Metro Manila, temperatures typically drop to 18–22°C at night during the Amihan season — a welcome relief from the year-round heat.

The Amihan brings dry conditions to the western side of the Philippines (western Luzon, western Visayas) but can bring heavy rainfall to the eastern coast, particularly Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and eastern Mindanao. This is because the northeast winds pick up moisture as they cross the Pacific Ocean and deposit it on the eastern slopes of the Philippine mountain ranges.

What Is the Habagat?

The Habagat (pronounced hah-BAH-gat) is the southwest monsoon — a warm, moisture-laden wind that blows from the southwest across the South China Sea. It typically arrives in May or June and persists until October. The Habagat is responsible for the wet season that brings the majority of the Philippines' annual rainfall.

The Habagat is strongest over western Luzon, Metro Manila, and the western Visayas. During peak Habagat months (July to September), Metro Manila can receive over 400 mm of rainfall in a single month. The Habagat is also responsible for the monsoon flooding that affects low-lying areas of Luzon every year.

When a typhoon is present in the Philippine Sea or the South China Sea, it can dramatically enhance the Habagat, drawing additional moisture into the monsoon flow. This is why some of the most catastrophic flooding events in Philippine history have occurred not from the typhoon's direct path but from the enhanced Habagat it triggered hundreds of kilometres away.

The Transition Seasons

Between the two monsoons — roughly March to May and October to November — the Philippines experiences transition periods when neither the Amihan nor the Habagat is dominant. These periods are characterised by variable winds, localised thunderstorms, and the development of the hot, humid conditions that make April and May the hottest months of the year in most of the country.

The transition from Amihan to Habagat (March to May) is also the peak season for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao. PAGASA issues thunderstorm advisories during this period, and communities should be alert to the risk of flash floods from intense but short-duration rainfall.

How the Monsoons Affect Different Regions

The Philippines' complex geography — over 7,600 islands, multiple mountain ranges, and a 1,800-kilometre north-to-south extent — means that the monsoons affect different regions very differently. The western coast of Luzon (including Metro Manila) receives most of its rain from the Habagat and has a pronounced dry season from December to April. The eastern coast of the Philippines (Eastern Visayas, Bicol, eastern Mindanao) receives rain from both monsoons and has no true dry season. The interior of Mindanao is sheltered from both monsoons and has relatively even rainfall throughout the year.