MANILA - The season of the southwest monsoon locally known as "habagat" has officially ended and cool weather associated with the holidays is on its way, state weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday.

"Recent climate analysis showed that a significant weakening of the southwest monsoon winds has been observed over the last few days," PAGASA Administrator Vicente Malano said in a statement.

Malano added that the strengthening of the high pressure systems over the Asian continent has led to the gradual changing of the season, and that the Philippine climate is currently shifting.

"The climate of the Philippines is [in] the process of transition and the gradual onset of the northeast monsoon season is expected in the coming days, with a reversal of the winds from southwest to northeast," he said.

The northeast monsoon, locally known as "Amihan," is usually associated with the cool weather during the holiday season.