Metro’s temperature hits 36.5 ºC

MANILA, Philippines - The temperature in Metro Manila hit 36.5 degrees Celsius yesterday, the hottest recorded in the metropolis so far this year.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded the warmest temperature at the Science Garden in Quezon City at 3 p.m.

Yesterday’s temperature surpassed the 36.4 degrees Celsius recorded in the capital last May 1.

PAGASA weather division chief Robert Sawi said the temperatures could still rise before the month ends.

Sawi also said the rainy season will start in the coming weeks despite the El Niño phenomenon. The frequent occurrence of thunderstorms and the prevalence of an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) indicate that the rainy season is drawing closer.

“I think we will have a normal onset of the rainy season because some of the indicators such as the occurrence of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening and the gradual movement of the ITCZ towards Mindanao are already happening,” Sawi told The STAR.

PAGASA said the wet season normally starts between the second half of May and first week of June.

PAGASA officially declares the onset of the rainy season once the southwest monsoon is the dominant wind system in the country and the amount of rainfall in at least five weather bureau stations across the country has reached 25 millimeters in volume over five consecutive days.

PAGASA foresees the onset of El Niño in June and it may peak during the last quarter of the year.

The country would experience the usual number of typhoons this year, perhaps stronger ones, despite the El Niño.

According to the weather bureau, at least 19 to 20 tropical cyclones enter the country every year. But because of El Niño, the tracks of tropical cyclones are expected to shift northward and the intensity could be stronger.