Metro Manila hits hottest day on record at 38.8°C

HAVE UMBRELLA, WILL TRAVEL Most commuters rely on umbrellas against the scorching heat. LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine capital region sweltered through its hottest day on record on Saturday, as the temperature soared to 38.8°C in the midst of a heat wave brought on by the El Niño phenomenon.

The new record high for Metropolitan Manila, home to about 14 million people, was set at 2:53 p.m. at the weather station in Pasay City near the airport, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

It surpassed the previous all-time highs of 38.6°C recorded in 1915 and 2021.

READ: Metro Manila, 31 other areas to have dangerous heat index on Friday

The Philippine capital region failed to catch a break from the unrelenting heat overnight, with the temperature never falling below 30.1°C until early Sunday, which is the highest minimum temperature on record for Metro Manila and the entire country.

On Sunday, Pagasa said the hottest town in the country was Iba in Zambales province, flagging “extreme danger.” It baked at 53°C based on the heat index, which factors in humidity.

Rains may be delayed

Pagasa warned 45 other cities and towns across the archipelago’s reached “danger” levels exceeding 41°C but not exceeding 52‚C based on heat index readings. Forty-two areas could hit those levels in the next two days, the weather bureau added.

Weather experts said the start of the rainy season may be delayed.

The heat index accounts for humidity and was devised to better reflect how heat is experienced by the human body. At or above 41°C, the index enters the “danger” zone,” when heat cramps and exhaustion are possible, while above 52°C marks “extreme danger” with a potential for heat stroke.