Metro Manila temperatures may hit 38 degrees Celsius

MANILA, Philippines —  Metro Manila residents should brace for searing weather as temperatures could hit 38 degrees Celsius this month, the state weather bureau warned yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advised the public to take precautionary measures against heat stress and optimize the use of water for personal and domestic consumption.

PAGASA warned that the prevailing El Niño will bring hotter air temperatures in the coming months.

According to Ana Liza Solis, chief of PAGASA’s Climate Impact Monitoring and Prediction Section, hotter weather is also expected in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan this April at 39.5 degrees Celsius.

Solis said the normal maximum or hottest temperature in Tuguegarao City for the month is 35.4 degrees Celsius.

The highest recorded in the city, also the country’s hottest temperature on record, was 42.2 degrees Celsius on May 11, 1969.

In Metro Manila, the hottest temperature was registered on May 14, 1987 at 38.5 degrees Celsius.

The weather bureau officially declared the start of the dry season on March 22.

PAGASA also warned the public of prolonged dry season due to El Niño, which is associated with below normal rainfall.

At least 51 provinces or 61 percent of the country are likely to be hit by drought by the end of the month, the agency said.