Spring in Manila really shifts the tropical climate and changes how you experience the city. From March through May, the air gets warmer, sunlight stretches out, and rainfall slowly picks up as the wet months approach.
You’ll notice hot days, warm nights, and just a few quick rain showers early in the season.
During these months, the heat ramps up steadily. March feels a bit milder compared to April and May.
The sea stays warm and welcoming. Daylight hours grow a bit longer, giving you more time to enjoy being outside.
By late spring, humidity and rain start climbing, hinting that the rainy season is on its way.
If you know these patterns, you can plan smarter—maybe you want clear skies for sightseeing or cooler evenings along Manila Bay. Or maybe you’re just after calm seas for a quick beach getaway.
Spring Temperature Trends in Manila
Spring in Manila brings steady warmth, with only minor changes between March, April, and May.
Expect hot afternoons, warm nights, and barely any relief from humidity. The city just feels muggy most of the time.
Average Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Most spring days, highs in Manila land near 91°F (33°C). They rarely dip below 85°F (29°C) or climb past 96°F (36°C).
The hottest stretch usually hits at the end of April, when highs average about 93°F (34°C).
Nights stay warm too. Lows rise from 75°F (24°C) in early March to 79°F (26°C) by May.
Some nights, it barely cools off at all, sticking close to 80°F (27°C)—which can feel a bit much without air conditioning.
With such a small gap between day and night temps, you don’t get much relief after sunset. Toss in high humidity, and the air feels warmer than the numbers actually show.
Monthly Temperature Progression
From March to May, the heat ticks up gradually. March starts with highs around 90°F (32°C) and lows near 75°F (24°C).
By April, both day and night temps bump up by about 2°F (1°C).
May turns into the hottest spring month. Highs average 92–93°F (33–34°C), and lows almost hit 79–80°F (26–27°C).
Late April and early May usually bring the warmest weeks of the year.
As temps climb, so do humidity and rain, making afternoons feel even hotter than the thermometer claims.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| March | 90°F (32°C) | 75°F (24°C) |
| April | 92°F (33°C) | 77°F (25°C) |
| May | 93°F (34°C) | 79°F (26°C) |
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to winter, spring in Manila feels hotter and stickier. January lows might dip to 73°F (23°C), which makes evenings a bit more comfortable.
Spring nights rarely drop below 75°F (24°C), so you’ll notice the difference.
Summer brings even more rain and clouds, but the temps stay pretty similar to late spring. The big change is a much higher chance of wet days, which can hit over 70% in August.
Autumn temps are close to spring, but humidity and rain stick around. If you’re after drier and slightly cooler weather, late winter is your best bet to escape Manila’s constant warmth.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Rainfall in Manila swings sharply between months. Totals and rainy days climb as spring leans into summer.
You’ll see a big difference between the drier early spring weeks and the wetter days that show up later.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Spring rainfall in Manila rises steadily. February and March stay pretty dry, with totals usually under 30 mm.
By April, averages reach 24–30 mm, but that’s still the driest part of the year.
Once May rolls in, rainfall jumps. You might see 150–200 mm in just that month, which means the wet season is almost here.
June brings even more, often topping 250 mm.
This pattern is classic tropical weather. Rain doesn’t spread out evenly; instead, it builds fast when the southwest monsoon kicks in, bringing heavier showers and storms.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~20–30 mm |
| April | ~24 mm |
| May | 150–200 mm |
| June | 250+ mm |
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days in Manila ramp up as spring goes on. In March, you might only get 2–4 days with real rain.
April averages about 3 rainy days, making it the driest month.
By May, the count jumps to around 10–12 rainy days. In June, it can hit 15–18 days.
More rainy days mean more frequent showers and thunderstorms.
Rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts, especially later in the season. Expect sudden downpours in the afternoon or evening, while mornings often stay dry and hot.
That’s just how tropical climates like Manila’s behave.
Transition from Dry to Wet Season
Spring marks the turning point between the dry northeast monsoon and the wet southwest monsoon.
Early in the season, the air feels hot and dry, with barely any rain and plenty of sunshine.
By late April and May, humidity picks up, and thunderstorms start popping up more often.
You’ll probably notice the change most in May, when both rainfall and rainy days spike.
By June, Manila is deep into the wet season, and heavy showers and high humidity become the daily norm.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
Humidity in Manila really shapes how you feel outside during spring. The air often feels warmer than what the thermometer says, and your comfort depends a lot on how humidity shifts each month.
Average Humidity in Spring
Spring humidity in Manila usually stays high—think 74% to 82%. That’s very humid, so you’ll probably notice the air feels sticky or heavy, especially in the afternoons.
High humidity also makes it harder for your body to cool off by sweating. Even moderate temps can feel warmer.
When highs hit the low 30s °C (around 90 °F), humidity pushes the heat index up even more.
If you’re outdoors, you’ll want lighter clothes and regular breaks in shade or air‑conditioned spaces. Indoor spots with fans or good airflow help a lot.
Most travelers find mornings a bit more comfortable, since humidity usually rises later in the day.
Humidity Fluctuations by Month
Humidity shifts gradually during spring. In March, relative humidity averages around 74–76%—lower than the peak months.
By April, it drops a bit more, sometimes down to 65%, making it the least humid month.
April gives a small window of slightly better comfort, though it’s also the hottest, often near 35°C (95°F).
That mix of heat and moderate humidity can still feel pretty intense, especially in the city where airflow is limited.
By May, humidity climbs again, heading toward 78–80% as the rainy season nears.
This brings heavier, damper air and less relief from the heat. If you’re planning outdoor stuff, April is probably your best shot, while May can feel more stifling even with the occasional rain.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
Spring in Manila brings a mix of bright, clear days and spells of thicker cloud cover.
Sunshine hours swing a lot depending on the month, and the balance between sunny and cloudy skies really affects outdoor plans.
Cloudiness Trends
Cloud cover changes a lot as spring goes on. In March, skies are clearer, with about 61% of daylight hours sunny.
April gets even clearer, with 70% sunny hours—the best of the season.
As May arrives, clouds roll in again. Sunny hours drop to about 57%, hinting at the wetter months ahead.
This rise in clouds also brings more humidity, which you’ll definitely feel in the afternoons.
The shift from March to May shows just how quickly things can change. Early spring offers more open skies, but late spring feels hazier and more overcast.
If you want to be outside, April usually gives you the clearest weather.
Average Daily Sunshine
Manila averages about 5 hours and 45 minutes of sunshine per day over the year, but spring stands out for longer sun exposure.
March gives you around 7 hours and 17 minutes of sun daily.
April peaks with about 8 hours and 36 minutes—the most sunshine all year.
By May, sunshine slips a little to 7 hours and 11 minutes, but that’s still brighter than most months outside of spring.
Longer days mean more daylight overall, with April offering about 12 hours and 26 minutes per day.
So, spring is when you’ll see the brightest skies. Whether you’re walking the city or heading to the coast, the extra daylight gives you more time before evening sets in.
Best Months for Clear Skies
If you’re after the clearest skies in Manila, April is the sweet spot. With 70% of daylight hours sunny and the longest daily sunshine, it’s perfect for sightseeing, outdoor meals, or day trips.
March also brings good weather, with 61% sunny hours and moderate clouds. It’s a nice pick if you like things a bit cooler than April.
May stays sunny for much of the day, but clouds start to build as the rainy season nears. You’ll feel more humid afternoons and see more hazy skies.
For outdoor plans that need clear weather, March and April are your best bets.
Daylight Duration and Sun Position
In Manila, daylight hours and the sun’s position shift little by little during spring.
You’ll notice longer days in April compared to March, and the sun climbs higher at midday before the rains begin.
Length of Day Through Spring
Daylight in Manila averages about 12 hours each day during spring.
March days run about 12 hours and 1 minute. By April, it’s up to around 12 hours and 26 minutes.
In May, days stretch to nearly 12 hours and 47 minutes.
So, you get almost an extra hour of daylight between early March and late May. The change is slow and steady, not sudden.
The sun also gets higher in the sky as spring moves along. At noon in March, the sun sits about 75.5° above the horizon. In April, it’s nearly 87°—almost right overhead.
By May, the angle stays high at about 84°.
| Month | Daylight Hours (avg) | Sun Angle at Noon |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~12h 01m | 75.5° |
| April | ~12h 26m | 87.2° |
| May | ~12h 47m | 84.4° |
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset in Manila don’t shift much during spring.
In March, sunrise is close to 6:10 AM and sunset is around 6:10 PM.
By April, sunrise happens a bit earlier, near 5:45 AM, and sunset stretches to about 6:15 PM.
In May, the sun’s up even earlier, just before 5:30 AM, and sets near 6:15 PM.
These gradual changes give you brighter mornings and a little more evening light.
Since Manila sits close to the equator, sunrise and sunset times stay pretty steady compared to temperate places.
You can plan your outdoor activities without worrying much about daylight running out—spring days are long and reliable.
Wind and Sea Conditions
In spring, Manila usually gets steady breezes and warm sea temperatures. These conditions make it pretty comfortable to get outside and do things.
Wind patterns shift a bit from other seasons. The South China Sea waters nearby stay reliably warm, which is honestly great if you’re planning to swim or just hang out near the shore.
Typical Wind Speeds
During March and April, winds in Manila usually blow at around 4 meters per second (14.4 km/h or 8.9 mph). This time of year is actually the windiest, so you’ll probably spot flags snapping and hear clothes flapping on the line.
Walking against the wind can take a bit more effort, but it’s nothing most people can’t handle.
When May rolls around, the average wind speed drops to about 2–3 meters per second (7–11 km/h). At this point, the breeze feels a lot gentler, with just a soft rustling in the leaves and not much else.
You might still get the odd gust, though. Most days are calmer as the season edges closer to the wetter months.
If you’re thinking about outdoor plans like walking tours or hopping on a boat, these wind speeds are mild overall. Still, you might want to watch out for those occasional stronger gusts, especially if you’re near the coast where the wind really picks up.
Sea Surface Temperatures
The waters around Manila stay warm all year, and spring’s really no different. Sea surface temperatures usually sit between 28°C and 29.5°C (82°F to 85°F) in March, April, and May.
You’ll find the water perfect for swimming or snorkeling—no wetsuit needed. April and May tend to top out as the warmest months, so you can expect the sea to feel like a giant, heated pool.
Since Manila faces the South China Sea, the currents stay pretty calm in spring, especially compared to typhoon season. Sure, you might notice some light swells now and then, but they don’t usually mess with your plans.
Honestly, spring’s a great time to get out and enjoy the coast in the Philippines.