Metro Manila, Philippines – The northeast monsoon ended on Monday, March 23, marking the beginning of the warm and dry season, the state weather bureau said.
“Ito ang hudyat na mag-umpisa na ang tag-init at maalinsangan na panahon. [This marks the beginning of the dry season and humid weather] In the coming weeks, we will experience higher temperatures and more humid weather condition,” Nathaniel Servando, administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said in a press briefing.
Servando said warmer days would peak from April until the first half of May.
Joseph Basconcillo, PAGASA senior weather specialist, said a number of provinces in Northern and Central Luzon may experience “dry days” for up to 20 days.
He added that Ilocos Norte and Apayao may even register up to 31 dry days, equivalent to an entire month come April.
At least 21 to 25 dry days may also occur in extreme northern Luzon by May.
“Ang ibig sabihin po ng dry day natin, ito ‘yung mga araw na may less than one millimeter of observed rainfall. So posibleng ‘yung normal rainfall natin pumatak sa iilang araw lamang kaya magkakaroon tayo ng near normal rainfall. Pero mas marami pa rin ang mga araw na walang ulan,” Basconcillo said.
[Translation: Our dry days refer to days with less than one millimeter of observed rainfall. So it’s possible that our normal rainfall may occur within just a few days, resulting in near-normal total rainfall. However, there will still be more days without rain.]
He said temperatures in the north may surge to 40.5 degrees Celsius in April.
PAGASA said it is closely monitoring as well the expected rise in heat index across the country – or the temperature to the human body as a result of humidity and air temperature.
Basconcillo urged the public to monitor the geographical heat index available on the agency’s website.
Servando, meanwhile, reminded people to observe precautionary measures during the dry season.
“Mariin po nating pinaalalahanan ang lahat na iwasan matagal na pagbabad sa direktang sikat ng araw at uminom ng palagi ng maraming tubig,” he said.
[Translation: We kindly remind everyone to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and to always drink plenty of water.]
