The Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia, consisting of over 7,600 islands. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The country spans a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers and is divided into three main geographical divisions: Luzon in the north, Visayas in the central region, and Mindanao in the south.
Due to its tropical maritime climate, the Philippines experiences high humidity and warm temperatures throughout the year, with an average annual temperature ranging between 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F). The weather is strongly influenced by the northeast monsoon (Amihan) and the southwest monsoon (Habagat), creating two primary seasons:
- Dry season: Usually from November to May, though its timing varies depending on the region.
- Wet season: Lasts from June to October, with peak rainfall and frequent typhoons.
The country’s climate can also be divided into four types based on rainfall patterns:
- Type I: Pronounced dry season from November to April, wet season from May to October (western Luzon, Mindoro, Palawan).
- Type II: No dry season, with heavy rains from November to February (eastern Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas).
- Type III: Seasons are not well defined, but relatively dry from November to April (central Visayas, parts of Mindanao).
- Type IV: Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year (eastern Mindanao, central Mindanao, parts of Visayas).
Given this diverse climate, the monthly weather in the Philippines varies depending on location and time of year. Below is a detailed breakdown of weather in the Philippines by month.
January
Weather Overview
January falls during the northeast monsoon (Amihan), bringing cool and dry weather to most parts of the country. It’s one of the best months to visit, especially for outdoor activities and beach vacations.
Luzon
- Temperature: 22°C to 30°C (72°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: Minimal, around 10-50 mm
- Weather: Dry, cooler temperatures, with breezy conditions
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 50-80 mm, occasional rain showers
- Weather: Generally dry with light rain, especially in the eastern region
Mindanao
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 80-150 mm, with some areas experiencing more frequent rainfall
- Weather: Southern Mindanao may experience occasional rain, but generally dry in most regions
February
Weather Overview
February continues to experience the cool and dry conditions of the northeast monsoon, making it one of the most pleasant months to travel across the Philippines.
Luzon
- Temperature: 22°C to 31°C (72°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Dry and cool, particularly in northern and central Luzon
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 40-60 mm
- Weather: Generally dry with occasional light showers, more prevalent in Eastern Visayas
Mindanao
- Temperature: 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 60-100 mm, with eastern and southern parts receiving higher rainfall
- Weather: Southern Mindanao may experience some rains, but most areas remain dry
March
Weather Overview
March marks the transition from the cooler Amihan season to the hot dry season, especially in Luzon and Visayas. Rainfall remains low, and temperatures start to rise.
Luzon
- Temperature: 23°C to 32°C (73°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 10-30 mm
- Weather: Warm, with mostly clear skies and dry conditions
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 30-60 mm
- Weather: Light showers in the eastern region, otherwise dry and warm
Mindanao
- Temperature: 25°C to 34°C (77°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 70-120 mm, with increasing rain in southern and eastern areas
- Weather: Generally warmer with intermittent rain in the east and south
April
Weather Overview
April is one of the hottest months in the Philippines. The dry season is in full swing, especially in Luzon and Visayas, while Mindanao may experience sporadic rainfall.
Luzon
- Temperature: 24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 10-20 mm, almost no rain in most regions
- Weather: Hot and dry, ideal for beach trips and outdoor activities
Visayas
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 20-50 mm, light showers possible in the eastern regions
- Weather: Mostly dry, with occasional afternoon rain showers
Mindanao
- Temperature: 26°C to 35°C (79°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 60-100 mm, occasional thunderstorms in the south and east
- Weather: Hot and humid with sporadic rain, particularly in eastern Mindanao
May
Weather Overview
May is typically the hottest month of the year across the Philippines, as the dry season reaches its peak. The country starts to feel the first signs of the southwest monsoon (Habagat) towards the end of the month, especially in western regions.
Luzon
- Temperature: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 20-80 mm, increasing toward the end of the month
- Weather: Hot, with occasional thunderstorms in the afternoon
Visayas
- Temperature: 26°C to 34°C (79°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 50-100 mm, increasing towards the end of the month
- Weather: Hot and humid, with scattered rain showers
Mindanao
- Temperature: 26°C to 36°C (79°F to 97°F)
- Rainfall: 80-130 mm, with thunderstorms likely in the afternoons
- Weather: Hot, with increasing rainfall towards the end of the month
June
Weather Overview
June marks the start of the rainy season for most of the Philippines as the southwest monsoon sets in. Rain becomes more frequent, especially in western Luzon and Visayas.
Luzon
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 150-200 mm, particularly in western Luzon
- Weather: Cloudy, with frequent rain and thunderstorms
Visayas
- Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 100-200 mm, with rain starting to pick up
- Weather: Cloudy with scattered thunderstorms, particularly in the west
Mindanao
- Temperature: 25°C to 34°C (77°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 120-180 mm, increasing in the north and west
- Weather: More rain and thunderstorms, especially in the northern parts
July
Weather Overview
July is deep in the rainy season, particularly in western parts of the country. Typhoons also become more frequent during this period, especially in Luzon and Visayas.
Luzon
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 200-300 mm, heavy rain likely
- Weather: Cloudy with frequent thunderstorms and typhoon threats
Visayas
- Temperature: 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 150-250 mm, heavy rainfall across western Visayas
- Weather: Cloudy, with frequent rain and occasional storms
Mindanao
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm, more frequent rain
- Weather: Cloudy, with thunderstorms becoming more common
August
Weather Overview
August is still part of the rainy season, with heavy rainfall and typhoon activity continuing across the Philippines. Coastal regions in western Luzon and Visayas are particularly affected.
Luzon
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 250-350 mm, heavy rain and typhoons likely
- Weather: Cloudy, with significant rainfall and strong winds
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 180-280 mm, frequent thunderstorms
- Weather: Rainy, with cloudy skies and occasional typhoons
Mindanao
- Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 120-180 mm, thunderstorms likely
- Weather: Wet, but less typhoon activity compared to the northern regions
September
Weather Overview
September continues to see heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon, although typhoon activity may start to decrease slightly towards the end of the month.
Luzon
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 180-300 mm, with more rain in western parts
- Weather: Wet, with intermittent thunderstorms and typhoons
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 150-250 mm, with frequent showers
- Weather: Rainy, though conditions start to improve toward the end of the month
Mindanao
- Temperature: 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm, scattered thunderstorms
- Weather: Cloudy with more frequent rain, especially in the north
October
Weather Overview
October marks the transition between the rainy and dry seasons in the Philippines. Rainfall starts to decrease, but typhoons are still possible during this month.
Luzon
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 100-200 mm, decreasing as the month progresses
- Weather: Rainy, but with longer dry periods
Visayas
- Temperature: 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 100-200 mm, rain starts to lessen
- Weather: Cloudy with some scattered rain showers
Mindanao
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 80-150 mm, thunderstorms become less frequent
- Weather: Drying out with occasional rain in the east
November
Weather Overview
November marks the beginning of the dry season, particularly in Luzon and Visayas. Temperatures begin to cool as the northeast monsoon sets in.
Luzon
- Temperature: 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 50-100 mm, mostly dry
- Weather: Cool, with clear skies and occasional light rain
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 50-100 mm, dry in most parts
- Weather: Generally dry, with scattered showers
Mindanao
- Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 80-130 mm, rain decreases in the north
- Weather: Mostly dry with some rain in the south and east
December
Weather Overview
December is a cool, dry month for much of the Philippines, thanks to the northeast monsoon. It’s one of the best months for travel and outdoor activities.
Luzon
- Temperature: 22°C to 30°C (72°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 20-60 mm, mostly dry
- Weather: Cool and breezy, perfect for outdoor activities
Visayas
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 40-80 mm, mostly dry
- Weather: Cool and dry, with occasional rain in the east
Mindanao
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 80-120 mm, drier in the northern regions
- Weather: Mostly dry, but some areas may experience rain, especially in the southeast