Baguio Temperatures Drop to 8C
January 16, 2009 by lisa
Filed under travel & transportation
Baguio weather is always fabulous in January. This is for me the best month of the year, that sweet spot (that’s Resty’s word) between the hectic months of December for the Christmas Season and February with the Panagbenga lasting the whole month and not to mention PMA week and Valentines.
News reports have the temperatures dropping to 7.5C, actually. It’s just hard to use decimals in the title of a web page because the “point” or “dot” is a separator. And of course a 7.5 gets rounded off to 8 when using whole numbers.
Normally there are no rains in January, except that world weather has been funny in the past couple of years because we actually brace ourselves for a typhoon in January (!). Since typhoons have been coming as late as the last quarter of the year, I am thinking, should the Philippines reclassify it’s rainy season? Because sometimes June and July are pretty dry, which is a pity because tourists avoid the City of Pines (force of habit, I suppose) on those months.
And like last year, the temperatures have dropped to “painful” levels, meaning biting cold. When folks in Manila asked me recently how New Year’s Eve is in Baguio, and of course I told them, having celebrated it here the past decade, that it is lovely and infinitely preferable to all the noise and smoke in Manila, they said, “But it’s too cold!” To which any long time resident would say, “It’s perfect!”
This year, I finally spent the New Year in Manila and my wish came true. It is the first time that it rained on New Year’s Eve in all my 44 years and that really put a damper on all those firecrackers our neighbors let loose every year.
Some folks estimate that the temperatures have dropped to 7 degrees celsius like they did at around this time last year, so I did some checking and found online weather station reports that had it at 8 degrees at dew point so far. Of course it gets colder by dew point, just as folks in Chicago, for example, talk about the wind chill factor.
What does this mean then?
1. Time to visit Baguio!
2. Time to bring out the outfits: coats, jackets, hats, scarves. Make sure head and ears are covered. Of course, when we were tourists in the 1980s we used to make it a point to wear walking shorts around Baguio as if to say “the cold does not scare me” but that was only during high noon.
Regarding the Cordillera Dress Proposal, we may have to rethink wearing a bahag in January! Or we can do it like the natives used to: bahag with Americana (that’s what Filipinos used to call a coat suit up to the 1970s)
3. Closed shoes. All those slippers that are in vogue will simply cause one’s toes to get numb, sorry!
4. Triple blankets, especially anticipating dew point (this happens in the early morning hours so be prepared), flannel pajamas, socks, etc.
5. Stock up on firewood. Did you know that our firewood comes from Sison Pangasinan where they sell them at Php16.00/bundle (this sells at Php40/bundle at the SM grocery)? It is recommended that folks coming up by private transport buy some on the way up — you can see them being sold by the road side if you keep an eye out for them as soon as you reach Sison.
6. No sleeping on sidewalks. Last year, there was rumor (it was not in the news, you see) that the cold claimed two lives. It is said that two drunken men passed out on the sidewalk and never woke up. Yup, hypothermia at 7 degrees! Or maybe it was pneumonia.
7. If you have come up unprepared for the weather. then head on to the Baguio City Market or Mines View Park or Mile Hi Center at Camp John Hay and buy a sweater or a blanket. They’re not very expensive. Of course there is the Ukay Ukay.
8. Read these tips for surviving the cold. It’s an older article, but despite this being a blog, I constantly check and update archived posts to check for relevance.
There you have it! I am actually crowing about the chilly days and nights in the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Even Sagada is not this cold, and especially Tagaytay (just came from both). Baguio is chillin’ and I love it!
This is Baguio!
We just...
So am I Lisa. Enjoying this cold spell which is the longest yet in so many years. Just like the good old days way back in the ’60’s. Hope I’m not speaking too soon and wish it would be this cold come Panagbenga. Have a good day!:)
Good morning Resty,
With the grand parades and Session in Bloom set back all the way to March, I doubt the cold spell will last till then. But hey, we can always pray for clear blue skies and chilly weather, if God made it rain in Manila on New Year’s Eve…
Even global warming has to take a break somehow.
Oh these are north winds from Siberia, they say, with winter about to end. The same bringer of the habagat for fisherfolk. Global warming is not taking a break by any means: cold gets colder, wet gets wetter, warm gets warmer and dry gets dryer.
Oh my! Thanks for the info! I’m going there on Sunday (couldn’t wait for Panagbenga) so I gotta be prepared. I’m planning to just pack light, to bring one jacket and wear my ever reliable slippers. Guess i need to bring at least 2 jackets and wear sneakers instead. I sure don’t wanna spoil my overnight stay because I’m cold. No way!!
Hi Kat,
If you check the forecasts, the temperature rises to a relatively “warm” 15 degrees. Hahaha! My Manila office aircon does not go lower than 18 degrees and the office staff wear sweaters and complain whenever I am down and insist on trying to approximate high noon in Baguio. So you can imagine how wonderful even 15 degrees would feel. Have fun in Baguio!
Hi Lisa.I was there last Jan 1 to 4,and I really enjoyed the cool mornings and evenings! I believe that this year was the coolest(among my visits since ‘03).But hey,no one is complaining,that is practically the reason why we go to Baguio.
Ooh Eugene, that’s THE SWEETSPOT — you hit it on the nail! Wrote about it in Best Times to Visit Baguio a long time ago and been telling folks that the absolute best time to go is after new year and before classes start (less tourists, less students, best weather)
Hi Lisa,
I have experienced that “sweetspot” and yes, it’s the best time to visit. I was in Vigan last December and in Bohol from Jan 9-11 but I can say Baguio is still the best place for me. The coool breeze, rich culture, romantic evenings and mornings, best souvenir items ( it”s a lot cheaper in Baguio) and of course the pine scent. Nothing compares to it!
Lalaine,
What a viajera! I will be in Dumaguete in early February and plan to scoot over to Bohol while in the area (it’s just 1.5 hours and Php650 away).
Of course I agree with you about Baguio, everything that you like is why I moved it. Like I say, living in Baguio is like being on vacation all the time, too!
I agree with Lalaine 101%. I Super love the Pine Scent! I’ve been to different provinces in the Philippines but nothing compares to Baguio. I can pack anytime and get what i want-THE COOL WEATHER!
I was there last Sunday and enjoyed my overnight stay as always! How I wish I can be stuck there forever. Haaaay.. I’m dreaming to be in a vacation all the time too.. I’m actually considering marrying someone who lives there! Haha. Desperada!
Anyway, be back on February! I sure wouldn’t miss the Panagbenga!!
Hi Kat, I know how you feel. And sometimes the weather, the pines, the bright skies and the fog can be complemented by the “someone who lives there” Hahaha! See you in Feb.
The Panagbenga 2009 Schedule of Events has been updated a 3rd time to include more minor events. Check it out.
Just when someone says brace for a cold weekend or colder days ahead, we lose the cold. You don’t need a taxi and you see a lot of empty taxis. You need one, and they’re hard to come by. A basketball commentator says the player has a high freeshot percentage, and that player will most likely miss a crucial freeshot. The curse!
Hi Resty,
I know! But honestly, when I did check the weather forecast online that week, it did show a rise to 15 degrees for last weekend. And here we are experiencing “regular” weather, still way better than Manila, which is back up to a “feverish” 33 degrees Celsius.”
I was actually expecting a snow fall the Sunday I was there, hehe. It wasn’t 8 degrees but still relatively cold, just the way I like it!=) Manila is melting already, we could feel the summer sun!
Hi, Lisa. A dip in the temperature today and gentle rains since yesterday. nice nice
Hi Resty,
Actually that light rain is why I think the temperatures went up a bit for a while. It’s going to be normal January weather again this week from 11-14, from what I see in the local weather forecasts. Yehey!
…and it’s hard to feel stressed or depressed on this lovely Sunday(Jan 25), Lisa.
Hi Lisa…the more i read about Baguio,the more i miss it! There’s this new drama series “Tayong Dalawa” airing over ABS-CBN on weeknights. The story is about two PMAers and of course it was shot in Baguio…precisely the reason why i am watching the series….i am positively and absolutely in love with the City of Pines!
Always been looking forward to my Baguio visits.And I always make sure I go there at the right time a.k.a. SWEETSPOT!! Nothing like it(the place).Cool atmosphere with the Pinoy touch.Been to “other” cool places but the Pinoy touch wins by a mile.Somehow,the place not being not too “modern” also adds up to the attraction.What do you think Lisa?
Hiya Resty, Lalaine & Eugene,
Baguio IS lovely. Could stand a little more rustic charm. In the words of Tina, bucolic chic is what it used to be.
Hi Lisa,
seems like your a resident of baguio, just want to get a first hand info on where to stay in Baguio, i’m planning a romantic getaway with my wife there, just that i don’t know which place marks a romantic spot.
Thanks!
Erik
Hi Erik,
I suggest the following areas: Camp John Hay, South Drive, Leonard Wood, Gibraltar. Basically these are the areas enumerated here as tourist hotels. They are located near all the major attractions and landmarks, surrounded by pine trees and generally romantic.
I have included the pertinent links in the paragraph above to help you plan your romantic getaway in Baguio City.
Hope this helps.
I was searching of the latest cold weather events in the Philippines especially in Baguio and happened to stumble on your web site. Love it!!!! I bookmarked and will visit it frequently.
Keep up the good work and more power!!!!
Very sincerely,
Hector
Thanks, Hector
Hi Lisa, Pag Asa says summer weather is coming, no wonder the daily afternoon rains. And it was very warm today.