Warm Weather to Continue on Thursday — PAGASA

The public will contnue to experience warm and humid weather on Thursday in most parts the country because of presence of the ridge of high pressure area (HPA) extending Northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The HPA, which is the opposite of the low pressure area (LPA), is associated with light winds, less rainclouds, and drier air.

For Thursday, PAGASA forecast partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms over the whole country mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming from the east over the rest of the 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.

PAGASA said residents of places directly hit by the heat of the sun, without trees, and surrounded by concrete roads would feel much hotter.

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.

PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said that the highest temperature in Metro Manila so far this year was recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City at 36.4 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

He noted that the latest reading surpassed the previous high of 36.2 degrees Celsius, which was recorded on April 18.

Based on the PAGASA’s climatological record, the hottest temperature in Metro Manila was recorded on May 14, 1987 at 38.5 degrees Celsius.

He said that other parts of Luzon including Metro Manila may experience hotter days due to the prevailing ridge of high pressure area.

The temperature on Thursday in Metro Manila will range 25-36 degrees Celsisus 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 human 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.

On the other hand, Quitlong said the agency continues to monitor the tropical storm with an international name of “Dolphin” which ps still outside the PAR.

He said the tropical storm is expected to intensify into typhoon category and also expected to enter the country by weekend and will be locally named “Egay”, the fifth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

However, Quitlong said the storm will enter in the boundary of PAR but will not affect the country as it will exit as soon as it reaches PAR. (PNA) LAM/CLTC