By Philippine News Agency
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday recorded the highest temperature in Metro Manila this year.
In an interview, PAGASA weather observer Nelson Goli said Metro Manila experienced its hottest weather when the temperature sizzled to 36.6 degrees Celsius on Monday afternoon.
”Monday’s maximum temperature was recorded at 3:50 p.m. in PAGASA’s Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City,” Goli told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.
He noted that the latest reading surpassed the previous high of 36.5 degrees Celsius, which was recorded on May 11 and 36.4 recorded last May 1.
He also said that 36.6 degrees Celsius is the highest temperature recorded in Metro Manila last year on April 19, 2013 at 3:55 p.m.
Based on the PAGASA’s climatological record, the hottest temperature in Metro Manila was recorded on May 14, 1987 at 38.5 degrees Celsius.
But so far, the hottest temperature in the country for this year was recorded in Echague, Isabela at 39.7 degrees Celsius recorded last May 15.
He said a ridge of high pressure area (HPA) will bring high temperatures and good weather conditions to the country in the coming days as he advised people to wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of water.
Goli said residents in places directly hit by sunlight, without trees, and surrounded by concrete roads would feel much hotter.
He said other parts of Luzon including Metro Manila may experience hotter days as the HPA ridge would be the dominant weather system in the country resulting in more humid weather.
HPA is the opposite of the low-pressure area – a weather system consisting of warm air circulating over the Pacific Ocean.
He also credited the hot temperatures to the penetration of the direct heat of the sunlight into the earth’s surface, and cloudless sky in the past days.
To avoid heat exhaustion, people should stay indoors as much as possible, according to a PAGASA advisory.
People are also advised to wear clothing made of light materials with light colors, to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and to avoid eating food high in protein, which can increase body heat.
Despite a warmer weather, he said the occurrence of isolated rains will still prevail due to localized thunderstorms expect mostly in the afternoon or evening.
PAGASA explained that the convective activity brought about by intense heat triggers the formation of more cumulonimbus clouds or dark clouds associated with thunderstorms that brings rains.
