PAGASA: 2016 can be one of Philippines’ warmest years

MANILA — Brace yourselves for the possibility of 40 degrees, says the state weather bureau, PAGASA.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday that 2016 could be one of the country’s warmest years — with daily maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao or Cagayan area.

Analiza Solis, PAGASA’s senior weather specialist, said from January to April 6, General Santos City had the highest temperature of 38.6 for 2016.  On April 2, General Santos City reached 38.3. As of PAGASA’s latest weather bulletin issued 5 p.m. Thursday, the Philippines’ maximum temperature in Metro Manila was 34.7 degrees Celsius.

Solis said Mindanao has maintained a steady temperature, but by April or May, the daily maximum temperature would reach 40 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao or Cagayan.  The average temperature of the Philippines, according to previous records, has been 27.7 to 28 degrees Celsius, she said.

“This year can be a candidate for the warmest or one of the warmest years during the decaying stage of El Niño,” Solis added.

Based on historical records, the warmest average value of temperature happened last 2013 during Yolanda when the Philippines had the same temperature as Australia. The second hottest year was in 1998,” she said.

Solis warned people to prepare for this by drinking more water and eating light as eating a lot would require more energy to burn food. She also discouraged burning in grasslands to prevent grassfires.  SFM