FILE PHOTO: Children jump in a river in Marikina City on February 27, 2010, as the Philippines enters the hot season. AFP FILE PHOTO/NOEL CELIS
MANILA, Philippines — Hot and dry season has now arrived in the country as the cold season due to the northeast monsoon or amihan has already ended.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) declared this Friday, as it prompted the public to prepare for sultry temperatures in the coming days.
It said people should stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activities that may cause dehydration and heat stress.
“The gradual shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly over most parts of the country due to the formation of the High-Pressure Area (HPA) over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean signifies the termination of the Northeast Monsoon and the start of dry season and warmer temperatures,” the weather bureau said in a statement.
“With this development, the day-to-day weather across the country will gradually become warmer, though isolated thunderstorms are also likely to occur,” it added.
Pagasa also urged the public to use water resources wisely, especially as the dry season tends to cause a shortage of water supply across the country.
“The public is advised to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and optimize the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption,” it added.
For this weekend, the easterlies would prevail over a vast part of the Philippines which would bring generally fair conditions and warm to humid weather. However, Pagasa said a chance for isolated and localized thunderstorms is still likely due to the easterlies’ moisture content.
Also, Pagasa said that no weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the coming days.
In Metro Manila and Laoag, temperatures were seen to range from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius while it will be 23 to 33 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao; 16 to 25 degrees Celsius in Baguio; 22 to 31 degrees Celsius in Tagaytay; and 25 to 33 degrees Celsius in Legazpi and Puerto Princesa.
Similarly, Visayas and Mindanao may expect warm conditions this weekend with Cebu possibly feeling it at 25 to 32 degrees Celsius; Iloilo, 26 to 32 degrees Celsius; Tacloban, 25 to 31 degrees Celsius; Zamboanga, 23 to 34 degrees Celsius; Cagayan de Oro, 23 to 32 degrees Celsius; and Davao, 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.
Pagasa did not issue any gale warning over any part of the country’s waters since the northeast monsoon’s end means sea conditions are likely to improve.