Filipinos warned of hotter days, thunderstorms

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau yesterday warned Filipinos to brace for hotter days and severe thunderstorms this month.

Ana Liza Solis, chief of Climate Impact Monitoring and Prediction Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the warmest temperatures are usually felt in the country in the first half of May.

“Because of the very hot temperature, the occurrence of local thunderstorm activities and at times severe thunderstorms become more frequent,” Solis told The STAR. 

Based on PAGASA’s data, the highest recorded temperatures in the country were 42.2 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao City on May 11, 1969; 38.5 degrees Celsius at the Science Garden in Quezon City on May 14, 1987; 38.5 degrees Celsius in Sangley Point in Cavite on May 16, 1987; 38.1 degrees Celsius at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on May 18, 1969; and 38.6 degrees Celsius in Port Area, Manila on May 17, 1915.

Solis said the forecast maximum temperature this month is 40.8 degrees Celsius in Northern Luzon.

In Metro Manila, the temperature could reach as high as 38.2 degrees Celsius.

A severe thunderstorm accompanied by hailstorm was reportedly experienced in some parts of Rosales, Pangasinan on Monday. 

Due to strong winds and rain, parts of a mall’s wall cracked, damaging some cars parked in the area, according to a PTV News report.

It said some of the eggplants and corn planted in the farmlands in the town were also affected.

The prevailing weak El Niño has been bringing warmer air temperature and below normal rainfall in many parts of the country in the past months.

PAGASA earlier warned 17 more areas are likely to be hit by drought by the end of the month. These areas are Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Aklan, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar and Samar.

Latest data from international climate centers showed that El Niño condition may last until the end of 2019.