Most of the country will experience generally fair weather on February 22, 2024, due to the easterlies, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (Photo from Pagasa)
MANILA, Philippines — As the cold northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, is yet to revisit the country, the warm easterlies will continue to bring hot and humid weather to several areas on Thursday, state meteorologists said.
“Magiging mainit pa rin po sa malaking bahagi ng bansa, dulot po iyan ng easterlies o iyong hanging galing sa silangan, particularly sa Pacific Ocean, at ito po ang magdadala ng mainit na panahon pati pag-ulan dito sa may bahagi ng Mindanao,” said Benison Estareja, a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) specialist during morning report.
(It will still be warm in most parts of the country, caused by the easterlies or winds coming from the east, particularly from the Pacific Ocean, which will bring warm weather and rain in parts of Mindanao.)
READ: Eastern part of Visayas and Mindanao to have overcast skies, rains
Estareja noted that residents in some key areas in the country must brace for high temperatures, particularly temperatures felt by the human body or what is referred to as the heat index.
According to Pagasa’s 4 a.m. advisory, the temperature in Metro Manila may reach 32 degrees Celsius, but residents may feel temperatures of up to 35 to 37 degrees Celsius based on the state weather bureau’s heat index forecast.
Folks in southern Luzon, particularly in Oriental Mindoro, may feel temperatures of up to 41 degrees Celsius, while Masbate residents may feel heat of up to 40 degrees Celsius.
In Visayas, the heat index in Iloilo is 40 degrees Celsius, while the Maguindanao provinces in Mindanao may also feel heat of up to 40 degrees Celsius.
The state weather bureau previously said the heat index is measured using air temperature and relative humidity.
In the same report, Estajera explained that the northeast monsoon may cause a resurgence in the coming days, but it does not mean that temperatures will immediately decrease.
Monsoon season in the Philippines typically ends in the second or third week of March, state meteorologists earlier said.
READ: Pagasa: Cool mornings to return on weekend due to amihan
Meanwhile, the Pagasa specialist noted that most of the country will experience generally fair weather, which means there are slim chances of heavy rainfall.
Caraga and Davao Region, however, will have overcast skies and scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the easterlies, Pagasa’s advisory continued.
No gale warning is hoisted over the country’s seaboards.
State meteorologists are also not monitoring any low-pressure area entering or forming in the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.