Intense heat to peak in April-May - PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines - The heat index will further rise as the weather transitions from the northeast monsoon season to warm and dry season in mid-March, government meteorologists said Monday, March 1.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has begun monitoring heat indices, initially forecasting “danger” levels in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija.

READ: Heat index seen to reach ‘danger’ level in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija – PAGASA

Heat index, also called “init factor” in the vernacular, factors in air temperature and relative humidity.

Ana Liza Solis, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section chief, said the declaration of a warm or dry season may be expected in mid-March.

“May mga possibility na madagdagan or dadami na ‘yung mga lugar na mataas ‘yung magiging alinsangan,” Solis said.

[Translation: There is a possibility that many areas will have high humidity.]

She said the dry season is expected to peak in April to May.

“Papatapos na rin ang northeast monsoon o ‘yung tinatawag nating amihan. So, in-expect pa natin na mas tataas ‘yung ating mga fino-forecast na heat index,” said Jorybell Masallo, PAGASA Impact Assessment and Applications Section chief.

[Translation: The northeast monsoon is about to end. It is expected that we will have high heat index forecasts.]

The northeast monsoon brings cold and dry air.

The Department of Health warns the public that a heat index of 33 degrees Celsius and above can result in illnesses such as cramps, exhaustion, and stroke.