Storm-free PHL until Weekend — PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday the country will remain storm-free in the next three days.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Gladys Saludes said the agency has not seen any weather disturbance near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) that may develop into tropical cyclone within the next three days or until weekend.

Saludes said that most parts of the country will continues to experience warm and humid weather conditions with chances of isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening will continue to prevail over the country on Friday or until weekend due to the ridge of high pressure area (HPA) affecting Luzon.

She said the HPA continues to be the dominant weather system, which is the opposite of the low pressure area. HPA is associated with light winds, less rainclouds, and drier air.

For Friday, PAGASA forecast partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Light to moderate winds coming from the east to southeast will prevail over the whole country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

The presence of HPA will bring high temperatures and good weather condition in the coming days as the state weather bureau advised people to wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of water

Despite a warmer weather, the occurrence of isolated rains will still prevail due to localized thunderstorms expected mostly in the afternoon or evening.

PAGASA explained that the convective activity brought about by intense heat triggers the formation of more cumulonimbus clouds or dark clouds associated with thunderstorms that brings rains.

On Thursday, Metro Manila had its highest temperature at 35.5 degrees Celsius recorded around 1 p.m. at the agency’s Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City.

The temperature on Friday in Metro Manila will range 25-35 degrees Celsius while the heat index will be 30-40 degrees Celsius.

The heat index is the human discomfort index that gives the “apparent” temperature or what humans perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body. High air temperatures and high relative humidity will give high apparent temperatures or indices. Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by 9°C. (PNA) JBP/CLTC