Pagasa forecasts warmer climate

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau warned the people yesterday of warmer climate in the next three days due to the ridge of high-pressure area.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued the warning after a senior citizen in La Union reportedly died of heat stroke after casting his vote yesterday.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said generally fair weather would prevail over the country until Thursday, with chances of rain especially in the afternoon or evening.

Aurelio said in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, the maximum heat index – the temperature as felt by the human body – was recorded at 40.1 degrees Celsius at around 2 p.m.

He said the PAGASA Laoag station was the nearest weather station to La Union.

In Metro Manila, the maximum temperature was registered at 36 degrees Celsius at 1:50 p.m. yesterday. 

The heat index recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City, which serves as PAGASA’s representative station in Metro Manila, was 40.6 degrees Celsius.

The country normally experiences the hottest temperatures in the first half of May, the weather bureau said.