BAGUIO CITY , Philippines – The usual cool climate in the country’s summer capital is now steaming after the hottest temperature in history here was recorded last Tuesday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the thermometer hit 29.1 degrees Celsius last Tuesday.
Residents and tourists have been experiencing scorching temperatures in the afternoons but the mornings remain chilly.
Pagasa said the hottest temperature recorded in the city was 29.0 degrees Celsius on April 22, 1990 and April 4, 1981.
Normal temperature range in Baguio City is pegged at 15-22 degrees Celsius during summer and sometimes the mercury dips to as low as 7 degrees during the cold months from December to February.
Pagasa weather specialist Wilson Locando attributed the increase in temperature to the worsening effects of climate change.
He warned the people that the hottest temperature here could reach 31 degrees Celsius in the coming days since the weather condition is being aggravated by the prevailing drought in many parts of the country.
Baguio City, however, maintains its cool and romantic weather during the late afternoons and early mornings, when the average temperature ranges from 14 to 16 degrees Celsius.
Locando advised residents and tourists to take necessary precautions so that they would not get sick, especially from heat stroke since the weather could get hotter in the coming days.
Health authorities here have reminded everyone to make sure that their body resistance remains strong, especially with the unpredictable weather conditions.
Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, director of the Department of Health in the Cordillera region, advised people to eat the right food and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
The weather bureau predicts that the effects of the El Niño phenomenon could be felt in most parts of the country until the middle part of this year, although many sectors are confident that the rainy season could come early and revitalize drought-ravaged farms in Northern Luzon.
Meanwhile, Pagasa warned the public that the warmer than normal conditions being experienced in the country at present is likely to last until mid-June.
Pagasa deputy administrator Nathaniel Cruz said that if rains would not come in the second half of May, the warm weather would last until the second week of June.
Pagasa experts earlier warned that El Niño might delay the onset of the rainy season by one month.
Pagasa recoded the hottest temperatures this year in Metro Manila, Baguio City and Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
The temperature in Metro Manila reached 36.1 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, surpassing the 35.8 degrees Celsius recorded on March 6.
In Baguio City, the mercury rose to 29.1 degrees Celsius, Perez said, while in Tuguegarao, temperature was recorded at 38.5 degrees Celsius.
Cruz said residents in Tuguegarao province have been experiencing 38-degree Celsius temperatures for the past four days.
He said the hottest temperature in Metro Manila yesterday, however, was slightly lower at 35.3 degrees Celsius. With Helen Flores