In thePhilippines,amihan refers to theseason dominated by thetrade winds, which are experienced in the country as acool northeast wind.[1] It is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall in the central and western part ofLuzon andVisayas, and a prevailing wind from the east. On the east coast of Luzon it brings drizzling rainfall and squalls. The effect onMindanao is relatively less than in the northern part of the country.
As a rule of thumb, the Philippines'amihan weather pattern begins sometime in mid- to late October or November and ends sometime in March or early to mid-April. There may, however, be wide variations from year to year.[2]
Throughout the rest of the year the Philippines experiences the west or southwest wind, or thesouth west monsoon,[1] referred to as thehabagat, which begins sometime in mid- to late May or June and ends sometime in October. Thehabagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the western parts.
The main indicator of the switch between theamihan andhabagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of about a week or two where the wind would switch betweenamihan andhabagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season to come.
Amihan is also depicted with Habagat which explains the wind patterns in the country. In one legend, they are depicted as children of the supreme deity Bathala. They are allowed by their father to play in turns, every half a year, since having the two play together causes destruction in the land. Amihan is depicted as the gentler sister while Habagat is depicted as the more active brother[3]
In another legend, Amihan is depicted as a giant who is at war with another giant Habagat.[4]
In Tagalog folklore, Amihan was one of the first beings in the universe, alongside Bathala and Aman Sinaya. She is the personification of the northeast wind, often depicted as a beautiful, long-haired woman who brings cool breezes and protects fishermen. Amihan played a crucial role in the creation myth, where she stopped a war between Bathala (Sky God) and Aman Sinaya (Sea God). Taking the form of a bird, she flew between them, bringing peace and helping shape the Philippine archipelago.[5]
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