Almost all areas across the country, including the National Capital Region (NCR), have been experiencing below-normal rainfall this April, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
From April 1 to April 16, nearly the entire country felt the impact of the ridge of a high-pressure area (HPA) with 40 percent or less than normal rainfall for the period, PAGASA said.
PAGASA said there were only localized thunderstorms in the past days.
The ridge of the HPA extending over the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon was responsible for the rainfall reduction, it added. Because of such, the public must brace for hot and humid weather.
“When the HPA ridge affects a specific area, we can expect lower cloud development, lower rainfall, resulting in higher temperatures in those areas,” weather specialist Veronica Torres said.
The ongoing El Niño phenomenon has triggered droughts and dry spells over vast areas of farmlands.
Temperatures in various areas have already surpassed government projections for the month of April.
The weather bureau said it expects the hottest days to come in May.
In its bulletin, PAGASA meanwhile said the following areas are expected to experience heat indexes ranging from 42°C to 45°C on April 18.
These areas include Aborlan, Palawan (45°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (44°C); Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (44°C); Catarman, Northern Samar (44°C); Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (43°C); ISU Echague, Isabela (43°C); Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas (43°C); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (43°C); Iloilo City, Iloilo (43°C); Dumangas, Iloilo (43°C); Guiuan, Eastern Samar (43°C); MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte (42°C); Bacnotan, La Union (42°C); Aparri, Cagayan (42°C); Sangley Point, Cavite (42°C); Coron, Palawan (42°C); Virac (Synop), Catanduanes (42°C); and Roxas City, Capiz (42°C).
The state weather bureau also said the heat index levels at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City and Science Garden in Quezon City are expected to reach 39°C to 40°C, respectively, on Thursday.
According to PAGASA, the heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. The heat index is computed by factoring in the humidity and temperature.
Healthcare experts said dangerous heat index levels– from 42°C to 51°C—can trigger heat cramps and heat exhaustion, while heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure.