Pagasa: Hotter days ahead

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned the public to brace for warmer temperatures in the coming weeks that may cause heat-related illnesses such as cramps,  exhaustion and stroke.

“It is expected that warm and humid weather will continue and temperatures are likely to soar as the southwest monsoon season evolves toward the month of May,” PAGASA administrator Vicente Malano said.

Malano said recent observations showed that the prevailing temperatures in most parts of the country are above average with high relative humidity.

Average maximum temperatures in several stations recorded more than 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than normal, particularly over General Santos City where three degrees Celsius higher than average maximum temperatures had been consistently recorded, he said.

The highest recorded temperature so far this year was 39.6 degrees Celsius in Echague, Isabela last April 14, surpassing the highest temperature last year at 39.2 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

In Metro Manila, the hottest temperature recorded so far this year was 37.7 degrees Celsius last April 17.

The warmest temperature experienced in Metro Manila last year was 36.4 degrees Celsius recorded on May 13.

Even in Baguio City, the heat index has reached 29 degrees Celsius starting last Sunday and may even go higher because of El Niño.

The hottest temperature recorded in the city for this year was 28.2 degrees Celsius last March 14.

Malano said the prevailing El Niño, which is behind the warmer weather in the country this summer, is on the wane and is expected to end in mid-2016.

It has been noted that a significant rise in temperature is commonly associated with strong El Niño events, like the 1986-1987, 1997-98 and 2009-2010, especially during its decaying stage, Malano said. – With Artemio Dumlao