FACT CHECK: Aphelion not linked to cold weather, health risks – PAGASA

Claim: The “aphelion phenomenon,” which began in January, will cause colder-than-usual weather in the Philippines until August, posing health risks such as flu, coughs, and breathing difficulties.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The claim circulated on social media platforms, including one posted on January 24 by the Facebook page “Siaton Negros,” which has 18,000 followers. As of writing, the post has 3,600 shares, 1,100 likes, and 162 comments.

The post warned the public of prolonged cold weather supposedly caused by the increased distance between the Earth and the sun. It also encouraged people to take vitamins and supplements to prevent illness.

The facts: Aphelion, the point at which Earth is farthest from the sun, does not affect Earth’s weather, according to a press release issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“[Department of Science and Technology]-PAGASA clarifies that while Earth’s orbital position changes throughout the year, these astronomical shifts do not dictate short-term weather patterns,” the agency said.

PAGASA explained that aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit where it is about 152 million kilometers away from the sun, only around two million kilometers farther than its average distance of approximately 150 million kilometers.

The relatively small difference between Earth’s average distance from the sun and its distance during aphelion does not result in drastic or sudden changes in global or local temperatures.

PAGASA also explained that seasonal changes on Earth are primarily influenced by the planet’s axial tilt, not its orbital distance. 

“The tilt dictates the angle of solar incidence and the duration of daylight, which have a far more profound effect on global temperatures than the slight difference in distance during Aphelion or Perihelion,” the agency said.

Additionally, aphelion is projected to occur on July 7, 2026, not January 2026 as the post claims.

Amihan, not Aphelion: According to PAGASA, the cool weather experienced in parts of the Philippines this January is caused by the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan. This weather system brings cold, dry air from high-pressure areas in East Asia and typically affects the country from October to March.

On January 29, 2026, PAGASA recorded a minimum temperature of 19.2°C at its Science Garden in Quezon City, attributing the drop in temperature to the prevailing amihan rather than to any astronomical event.

Cold weather does not cause flu: According to articles from Johns Hopkins Medicine and The Conversation, colds and flu are caused by viruses, not cold weather.

However, cold weather may play an indirect role in flu transmission, according to Dr. Zetch Cruz-Ram, medical director of Doctor Anywhere Philippines. She explained that people tend to stay indoors and in proximity to others during colder months, increasing the likelihood of virus spread. Dry air may also dry out nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to enter the body.

While the Department of Health has previously reminded the public about seasonal increases in flu-like illnesses, sometimes referred to as “super flu,” there have been no public advisories from the agency linking aphelion or Earth’s distance from the sun to flu outbreaks or respiratory illnesses. (READ: ‘No need to panic’: What you need to know about the ‘super flu’)
Similar claims connecting aphelion to extreme cold and health risks have appeared online in past years. Rappler and other institutions have fact-checked some of these:

• FALSE: Aphelion phenomenon will cause colder weather 
• CLAIM: The Earth will experience the “Aphelion Phenomenon” which will last until August, and can impact people’s health because of the cold weather it brings

– Nathaniel Vizconde/Rappler.com

Nathaniel Vizconde is a Rappler volunteer. He is a third-year journalism student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the former News Editor of PUP The Catalyst.

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