PAGASA: Peak of summer heat will be felt April to May

State weather bureau PAGASA said the heat index during the summer season would peak in April and May.

In a public briefing on Tuesday, Assistant Weather Service chief and Spokesperson for Weather Chris Perez said temperatures in Metro Manila in April and May may range from a minimum of 25 to a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius.

Mountainous regions in Luzon may feel temperatures ranging from 12 up to 30 degrees, while parts of the Visayas and Mindanao may have 24 to 38 degree temperatures.

He added that the highest temperature of the year, 37.8 degrees, was recorded around Tarlac on Monday.

“Pag ganitong mga panahon, bukod sa mataas ang temperature, mataas din ang moisture content ng ating hangin so yung posibleng heat index na 37.8 posibleng umabot hanggang 40, 41 hanggang 42 yung actual na mararamdaman natin. Pag ganun, di talaga tayo komportable. Bukod sa mainit, maalinsangan,” he said.

(Aside from the high temperatures in times like these, the moisture content in our air is also high so the possible heat index of 37.8 may be felt as 40, 41 up to 42. In those conditions, we really would not be comfortable. In addition to the heat, it’s also humid.)

PAGASA also did not rule out the possibility of a heat index of up to 50 degrees.

“Pag panahon talaga ng tag-init dito sa ating bansa, yung buwan ng Marso, Abril, o Mayo, diyan tayo nagtatala ng mga pinakamataas na antas ng temperature. So, pag mataas yung maximum temperature natin, malaki rin ang tiyansa na mataas ang magiging computed heat index value natin,” Perez said.

(During the summer season in the Philippines, we usually record the highest temperatures in March, April, or May. So, in high maximum temperatures, there’s also a higher chance of a high computed heat index value.)

The weather service thus advised the public to refrain from outdoor activities between 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. when temperatures peak to avoid any complications or issues.

“Kung talagang di maiiwasan may outdoor activity ay ugaliing sumilong from time to time, uminom ng tubig to keep themselves hydrated, and as much as possible wear light colors and thin clothes para mas komportable po tayo,” said Perez.

(If they really cannot avoid an outdoor activity, make it a habit to seek shade from time to time, drink water to keep themselves hydrated, and as much as possible wear light colors and thin clothes so that we’re more comfortable)

“Pinapayuhan din natin ang mga kababayan natin na imonitor rin [ang forecasts] para maplano din nila ng maayos ang mga day-to-day activities base sa inaasahang panahon at sa inaasahan ngang temperature range,” he added.

(We are also advising the public to monitor the forecasts so they can properly plan their day-to-day activities based on the expected weather and expected temperature range.)

Meanwhile, Perez said that the effects of the La Niña or rainy season may be delayed despite the weakening of the El Niño.

“Malaki ang tsansa na madelay ng bahagya [ang tag-ulan] kasi etong weakening ng El Niño na nakikita natin, di naman agad-agad na mawawala yung epekto nito once totally naging neutral na yung climate conditions, so parang may lag effect tayong tinatawag,” he said.

(There’s a good chance that the rainy season may be delayed slightly because this weakening of El Niño that we have observed will not happen suddenly once the climate conditions turn neutral. We have what we call a lag effect)  — DVM, GMA Integrated News