Public warned of hailstorms this month

MANILA, Philippines - State seismologists yesterday warned the public against hailstorms due to warmer weather this month.

Senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said hailstorms usually happen in May, especially during severe thunderstorms.

“We can expect thunderstorms to occur more frequently this month,” Paciente said, adding that thunderstorms are triggered by “intense heating in the ground.”

Paciente said the warm weather caused by El Niño could also generate severe thunderstorms.

He said thunderstorms are more frequent in Mindanao due to the hotter weather in the region.

Other parts of the country, including Metro Manila, have experienced thunderstorms in the past days.

Paciente clarified that the occurrence of thunderstorms in some parts of the country does not mean the rainy season is near.

PAGASA may officially declare the onset of the rainy season associated with the southwest monsoon next month.

Some of the warmest temperatures recorded in the country were 38.5 degrees Celsius in Quezon City on May 14, 1987; 38.6 in Port Area, Manila on May 17, 1915; 38.1 in Parañaque City on May 18, 1969 and 38.5 degrees Celsius in Cavite on May 16, 1987.

The highest temperature recorded in the Philippines was 42.2 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao City on May 11, 1969, PAGASA said.