Why Is There No Snow In The Philippines?
The Philippines is a tropical country with hot and humid weather conditions that are predictable for the rest of the year.
It is cold in the Philippines during the winter months, which may not be felt in some areas.
The absence of snow in the Philippines has been an issue for many Filipinos who see snow in Christmas scenes. Many Filipinos have been asking why there is no snow in the Philippines.
Any country that experiences winter can have a white Christmas because of snow and ice. However, Philippine weather conditions do not support the formation and existence of snow and ice in the country.
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers.
The Philippine climate consists of two seasons: the wet and dry seasons.
The rainy season starts in May until October, while the dry season begins in November until April.
During this period, the country experiences a change in weather patterns that lead to considerable rainfall and temperature variation.
With the absence of snow in the Philippines, several reasons have been given for this reality.
Here are some possible reasons why there is no snow in the Philippines:
Location
One primary reason there is no snowfall anywhere in the country is its geographical location.
Unlike neighboring Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, the Philippines is outside the typhoon belt.
These countries are often visited by strong typhoons that come with heavy snowfall.
Wind Circulation
Another possible reason there is no snow in the Philippines is its climatological wind circulation patterns.
The country experiences the Intertropical Convergence Zone of winds, which lead to heavy rainfall and storm surge.
This phenomenon rarely passes over Philippine landmasses, making it less likely for snowfall to occur.
Ultraviolet Light Exposure
Philippine weather is also characterized by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light on a clear day.
UV exposure can lead to snowflakes melting before they even reach the ground.
Elevation Level
Finally, elevation level is also a significant factor in why there is no snow in the Philippines.
The country’s highest mountain range is 4,700 feet above sea level, while some mountains are below 1,000 feet.
These elevations are too low to support snowfall and other weather conditions that would cause snow accumulation.
Can it snow in the Philippines?
The Philippines is a tropical country; it is not likely to experience snowfall. There are only two months in the year when there may be snowfall: January and February.
But even during these times, heavy rainfall is more likely than natural snowfall.
However, there have been past events that show traces of snow in the country. Unconfirmed reports of snowfall occurring in Baguio City, Pampanga, Laguna, and other northern parts of Luzon.
This is due to climate change that has led to temperature variations over the past decades.
Whether true or not, Filipinos who believe it can snow in the Philippines have been conditioned to see snow on TV every Christmas.
This makes it more difficult for some Filipinos to accept that the country has no snow.
Several areas in the northern part of Luzon claimed it was a white Christmas just because of a light drizzle or flurries.
Nevertheless, Filipinos who want to experience snowfall should plan a trip to one of the countries in Asia, like China and Japan, that regularly receive heavy snowfall during the winter season.
This way, there will be no disappointment and frustration over not seeing snow during Christmas.
Have the Philippines ever snowed?
According to meteorologists, there has never been snowfall recorded in the Philippines.
Even during the coldest months of the year, the average temperature hovers around 20 degrees Celsius or 68 Fahrenheit.
The coldest month is usually January, which falls below 18 degrees Celsius or 64 Fahrenheit.
It was reported that heavy snowfall occurred in several parts of the Philippines during the 1940s.
But this was a rare occurrence that has never been recorded nor experienced since then.
Many disappointed Filipinos have tried to convince themselves that snowfall exists in the country, particularly during Christmas.
In most cases, this occurs following an episode of heavy rainfall and flash floods, usually from December to January.
These Filipinos compare the country’s weather conditions to other Asian countries, particularly Japan and China.
They claim that parts of these countries experience snowfall every winter, if only for a few days.
So unless a radical climate change transforms the country into an arctic region, snowfall will not likely occur in the Philippines. At least not anytime soon.
What is winter like in the Philippines?
Winter in the Philippines is no different from any other season. Temperatures are still warm to hot, with very little rain from November to January.
Sometimes it rains heavily, but the rainfall only lasts a few hours and does not usually cause flooding or landslides.
The country’s mountains and mountain ranges serve as natural dams if heavy rainfall in the lowlands flows to them. When this happens, they release stored water in a controlled manner.
This is why most people assume it has snowed when they see mountains covered in white powder.
In some cases, these ‘snow’ sightings are later revealed as ash from local and overseas volcanoes, pockets of snow stored in mountain peaks, or simply just packing peanuts.
Why is it too hot for snow in the Philippines?
The average daily temperature of the Philippines during the winter season hovers around 18 degrees Celsius (or 64 Fahrenheit).
This is also around the average global temperature recorded outside the poles, where most parts of the world receive heavy snowfall yearly.
Since the country has no permanent ice caps or glaciers, there is no place for snow to accumulate or last.
This means that even if it snows heavily one day, the temperature will rise again after a few days.
The country will not experience what most of the world experiences: snow on the ground!
Snowfall only occurs during winter because colder air from polar regions is trapped in the middle latitudes, mainly in the northern hemisphere.
The Philippines lies outside this region, so it will never experience snowfall, no matter how cold it gets during the winter.
Does it hail in the Philippines?
Hail is a form of frozen precipitation that usually falls in the form of balls or lumps.
Solid updrafts cause hail formation within cumulonimbus clouds, usually accompanied by thunderstorms.
These updrafts carry moisture into higher parts of the atmosphere below zero degrees Celsius (or 32 Fahrenheit).
These moisture droplets then freeze into ice particles and become too heavy to be carried by the updraft.
They fall back down to Earth as hail, which is why most hailstones are angular in shape.
Hail is common worldwide, but it usually occurs near mountainous areas, especially with a strong updraft.
In the Philippines, it is improbable for hail to fall from the sky because of its flat topography and clear skies most of the time.
While a few hail episodes have been reported in some parts of Luzon and Visayas, they only occur once every few years.
What is the coldest it gets in the Philippines?
It is sporadic for the temperature to drop below 15 degrees Celsius (or 59 Fahrenheit), which is considered cold in some places.
When this happens, Metro Manila and other lowland areas experience light frost. At times, residents can even see their breath when they leave their homes early in the morning.
However, it does not usually last for more than a few days. The cold weather will dissipate as soon as the sun rises higher in the sky and temperatures rise again.
The temperature may drop below 10 degrees Celsius (or 50 Fahrenheit) in mountain areas, but this does not happen too often.
The Philippines is outside of Earth’s coldest regions, so it will only experience cold fronts for a few days during winter.
This is why it can be considered an ideal destination for tourists who wish to enjoy the country’s beaches and other outdoor activities during this time of the year.
