Chilly Mornings in Central Luzon: Pampanga Hits 18°C ‘Real Feel’ Temperature

If you woke up reaching for an extra blanket this morning in Pampanga, you weren’t alone. Residents across several towns in the province experienced a refreshing—and for some, startling—dip in temperature as the “real feel” hit a low of 18°C.

According to data from AccuWeather, a significant portion of the province saw temperatures drop well below the tropical norm during the early hours of Friday. While the Philippines is typically synonymous with humidity and heat, the current weather patterns are bringing a literal “cool breeze” to the Culinary Capital of the Philippines.

The 18°C Club

The cooling trend was most felt in the northern and western sectors of the province. A total of 12 municipalities and cities recorded a crisp 18°C real feel, making it one of the coldest mornings of the season so far for these areas:

• Angeles City
• Mabalacat City
• Magalang
• Arayat
• Porac
• Mexico
• Santa Rita
• Guagua
• Lubao
• Bacolor
• Sasmuan
• Floridablanca

Warmer, But Still Cool

While the “18°C Club” took the brunt of the chill, the rest of the province didn’t stay far behind. The capital city and its neighbors hovered around the 20°C mark, providing a comfortable break from the usual afternoon swelter.

Why the sudden drop?

Local weather enthusiasts attribute the dip to the prevailing Northeast Monsoon, locally known as Amihan. This weather system typically brings cool, dry air from Central Asia down to the archipelago, peaking between January and February.

For many Kapampangans, the cooler weather is a welcome change, perfect for enjoying a hot bowl of sopas or a fresh serving of puto bumbong. However, health experts remind the public to stay hydrated and dress warmly, as rapid temperature shifts can often lead to seasonal sniffling and colds.

So, before you head out for your morning commute or your early lakad, you might want to grab that hoodie—it’s officially “jacket weather” in Pampanga.