PAGASA warns of heat stroke during summer

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned the public against heat stroke and other heat-related diseases as hotter days are expected in May.

“It will be warmer this May, the worst has yet to come,” said Ana Liza Solis, officer-in-charge of PAGASA’s climate monitoring and prediction section.

She said in Northern Luzon the forecast maximum temperature this May is 39.6 degrees Celsius.

In Metro Manila, the hottest recorded so far this year was 35.4 degrees Celsius.

Solis advised the public to drink lots of water and wear light-colored clothes this summer. 

Solis also said La Niña is weakening in the tropical Pacific, with likely transition to neutral condition this April or May.

A neutral condition means there is no El Niño or La Niña that could disrupt the country’s normal climate and weather patterns, including rainfall and temperature in the coming months.

“Most of the forecasts by climate prediction centers predict La Niña will decay and return to ENSO-neutral,” Solis said, referring to El Niño Southern Oscillation.

PAGASA also expects a normal start of the rainy season this year.

Solis said one or two tropical cyclones may enter the country in May. “The entry of a tropical cyclone may trigger the onset of the rainy season.”