State weather forecasters acknowledged Monday that the hot and humid weather Filipinos are feeling this week signals the start of the country’s transition to the warm and dry season.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the hot temperatures forecast this March are just normal, according to weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda.
“Usually, in March, we are really starting to experience the hot weather. As of now, we are just having breaks from ‘amihan’ (northwest monsoon), since we are already in the transition period,” Clauren-Jorda said in a television interview.
“So, it is almost normal that our weather gets hotter in March, wherein we are heading toward the dry season,” she added.
PAGASA over the weekend released its highest heat index forecast levels, indicating that at least three locations will experience ‘danger’ level heat at 45 to 46 degrees Celsius this Monday, March 3, 2025:
- Science Garden, Quezon City (Metro Manila) – 46C
- Clark Airport, Pampanga (Central Luzon) – 46C
- CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – 45C
This forecast had since been updated in the succeeding heat index bulletins issued by PAGASA.
As of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, the state weather bureau forecast that Dagupan City, Pangasinan may experience heat at 42C on Tuesday (March 4) until Wednesday (March 5).
“Right now, the easterlies or warm air from the Pacific Ocean is the dominant weather system affecting the country. So, this will bring warm weather conditions, warm air not only in Metro Manila, but in some parts of the country,” Clauren-Jorda explained.
She said temperatures will continue to get hotter in the coming days.