BAGUIO CITY– The weather bureau on Monday recorded the lowest temperature in this city at 9.2 degrees Celsius.
“The temperature will continue to drop,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Baguio Science Research Specialist Daryl Codangos said in an interview.
This is the lowest temperature recorded since the peak of “amihan” (northwest monsoon) in October last year.
The lowest recorded temperature in Baguio was 6.3 degrees Celsius on Jan. 18, 1961.
Mt. Santo Tomas in Tuba Benguet, the mountain visible from Baguio and is popularly dubbed as the “source of air conditioning of Baguio,” recorded 7.2 degrees Celsius.
“There are news circulating online that Atok’s temperature dropped to 4 degrees Celsius this morning. We cannot confirm it since we do not have instruments installed in the area,” Codangos said.
Codangos said Atok town in Benguet, where the highest peak in the Philippine highway system is located, recorded at least 2 to 3 degrees Celsius lower than Baguio’s reading — making the temperature in Atok around 6 degrees Celsius.
Atok town produces vegetables and high-quality flower varieties.
It is host to the “northern blossom flower farm,” the newest destination here where the Sakuras (cherry blossoms) were planted by Japan embassy officials and Benguet executives to strengthen ties with Kochi Prefecture in Japan.
Sakura is a highly sensitive flower which require cold temperature.
Cabbage roses, which are used as high-end flower arrangements, are also grown in Atok town. **Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA
