Is It Monsoon in Basco, Philippines? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Basco, Philippines JANUARY
21°
Shoulder season
18° to 24°
Coldest & Windy
The coldest month of the year, with strong winds and regular rain.
🧥 Warm layers essential☔ Umbrella handy
22°
Peak season
19° to 25°
Dry Season Begins
Rain eases noticeably as the driest window of the year begins, though it stays breezy.
🧥 Warm layers💨 Windy conditions
23°
Peak season
20° to 26°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, part of the best window.
🧥 Light layers☀️ Sunscreen
25°
Peak season
22° to 28°
Dry & Warming
Still comparatively dry, warming up noticeably from the cooler months before it.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
Shoulder season
24° to 30°
Wet Season Begins
Rain builds noticeably as the wet season sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Warmest Month
The warmest month of the year on average, with rain a regular presence.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Steady Rain
Rain remains frequent, part of the year's wetter half.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
27°
Off-peak season
24° to 30°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, part of the named rainfall peak.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
24° to 29°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, at the peak of the wet season.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
26°
Shoulder season
23° to 28°
Rain Eases Slightly
Still very wet, though easing a little from the peak of the season.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
24°
Off-peak season
22° to 27°
Still Very Wet
Still among the wettest months of the year, as the northeast monsoon strengthens.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
22°
Shoulder season
19° to 24°
Cold & Windy
Rain eases from November, though it turns cold and increasingly windy.
🧥 Warm layers essential💨 Windy conditions
Drag through the year Jan
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
⭐️
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
145 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
25 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
91 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
23 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
56 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
20 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
56 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
216 mm
11 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
183 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
231 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
320 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
87%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
18 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
343 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
88%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
20 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
262 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
86%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
22 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
269 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3.5 hrs/day
27% of daylight hours
Humidity
86%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
24 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
157 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3.5 hrs/day
27% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
26 km/h
Noticeable breeze
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Feb, Mar, Apr
Basco's driest stretch. February through April is historically the calmest window for rain in this small, cool northern outpost near Taiwan.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Jan, May, Jun, Jul, Oct, Dec
This tier spans January, May, June, July, October, and December, a mix of moderate rain on either side of the wet-season peak.
Off-peak season: Aug, Sep, Nov
The heart of Basco's rainy season. August, September, and November see the heaviest rain of the year, with September historically the wettest month.
Good to know
🏝️
The Philippines' northernmost town
Basco sits on the small island of Batan in Batanes province, about 200km south of Taiwan, at 20 degrees north latitude.
🌬️
One of the windiest parts of the Philippines
Batanes is well known for strong, near-constant winds, especially during the northeast monsoon months.
🥶
A cooler winter than most of the Philippines
From December to February, lows can historically drop to around 13 to 14°C and highs often stay in the 18 to 20°C range, cool by Philippine standards.
🏘️
Home to distinctive Ivatan stone houses
Traditional limestone-and-coral houses with thick walls, built to withstand the region's frequent strong winds and typhoons, remain a defining feature of Batanes.
🌊
The sea stays swimmable even in winter
Sea temperatures historically hold in the high 70s Fahrenheit even in the coolest months, though the air itself can feel a little cool.
Top attractions
1
Naidi Hills & Basco Lighthouse
A hilltop lighthouse just outside town, with sweeping views over Basco and the surrounding coastline.
2
Racuh A Payaman (Marlboro Country)
Rolling grassy hills grazed by cattle and horses, one of the most photographed landscapes in Batanes.
3
Ivatan Stone Houses
Traditional limestone-and-coral houses found across Batanes, built with thick walls to withstand the region's strong winds and typhoons.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Basco?
Basco's rainy season historically runs from May through November, with a peak in August and September, and September the wettest month overall.
What is the best time of year to visit Basco?
February through April is historically Basco's driest window and the best time for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Basco?
August, September, and November are historically the wettest months of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Basco?
September is historically the wettest month, averaging around 343mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Basco?
March is historically the driest month, averaging around 56mm of rain.
How cold does Basco get?
January is historically the coldest month, with lows that can drop to around 13 to 14°C, cool by Philippine standards.
How hot does Basco get?
June is historically the warmest month of the year on average.
What should I pack for Basco?
Rain gear is worth having from around May through November, and warm layers are worth packing for the cooler December-to-February stretch.
Does Basco get typhoons?
Yes. Along with the central-northern Philippines, Basco can be hit by typhoons, generally from May to December, with risk historically highest between August and November.
Is Basco near Taiwan?
Yes. Basco sits on Batan Island in Batanes province, about 200km south of Taiwan, the northernmost town in the Philippines.