World · Philippines Bureau
Early frost damages Benguet flowers despite strong El Niño conditions
An unexpected cold spell brought frost to flower farms in Benguet's highlands this week, catching growers off guard as they anticipated warmer temperatures from the ongoing El Niño weather pattern. The unusual early frost has raised concerns about potential crop damage during what was expected to be a drier, warmer season.
LSN Philippines ·
BAGUIO CITY — Frost blanketed flower crops at a popular farm tourism destination in Atok, Benguet on Thursday morning, defying seasonal expectations and prompting questions about weather patterns in the region's agricultural areas.
PJ Haight, owner of Haight's Place in Barangay Paoay, documented the frost accumulation on flowers at the facility. Haight had anticipated frost would not occur until the later weeks of December, aligned with typical Yuletide season conditions rather than the current period marked by a very strong El Niño phenomenon.
The appearance of frost during an El Niño phase — characterized by generally warmer and drier conditions — represents an anomaly for the Benguet highlands. The region's flower industry, a significant economic driver, depends heavily on predictable weather patterns for cultivation and harvesting schedules.
The unexpected cold snap underscores the complexity of weather systems in the highlands, where elevation-related temperature fluctuations can override broader climatic patterns. Growers in the area are monitoring conditions closely as the season progresses to assess potential impacts on yields and quality.