PAGASA: Max daytime temperatures may reach 39.8°C in end-April

Metro Manila, Philippines - State meteorologists predicted the summer heat could reach up to 39.8 degrees Celsius in some areas during end-April to May.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said its latest projections showed the maximum daytime temperatures during this year’s warm season may hit 39.6 degrees Celsius to 39.8 degrees Celsius, especially in northern Luzon.

“Hopefully, sa ngayon, hindi pa naman tayo nakakapag-predict ng possible na pumalo 40 ‘yong ating maximum daytime temperature,” PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section chief Ana Liza Solis said in a Palace briefing on Monday, March 10.

[Translation: Hopefully, for now, we have not yet predicted a possible maximum daytime temperature reaching 40 degrees Celsius.]

In April, Metro Manila is poised to experience a sweltering heat of 37.6 degrees Celsius in April while lowland Mindanao at 37.7 degrees Celsius, according to PAGASA projections.

Heat index or “feels-like temperature” may also hit up to a dangerous level of 50 degrees Celsius during the peak of the warm season in April to May.

“But ‘yong 52 last year na mataas na heat index, may posibilidad pero in an instant lang hindi widespread na mga lugar,” Solis said.

[Translation: A high heat index, like the 52 degrees Celsius last year, is possible but only in an instant and not widespread.]

In this year’s monitoring, Dagupan City in Pangasinan registered a heat index of 45 degrees Celsius on March 6, the highest so far.

PAGASA is expected to announce the official onset of the warm season by mid-March amid a weakening northeast monsoon or amihan season, which is associated with cold weather.

Solis said the heat in the upcoming warm season may not be the same as last year’s, which was exacerbated with a strong El Niño episode.

DOH issues reminders to health facilities

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has updated its guidelines on the prevention and management of adverse health effects of extreme heat.

In a department memorandum dated March 7 and publicized Sunday, the DOH told hospitals and health facilities to maintain adequate water supply, anticipate intermittent power supply, and prepare for a surge in consultations amid the hot weather.

The consultations may range from infectious, dermatologic, food- and waterborne, or systemic illnesses, diseases, or disorders related to the extreme heat.

The agency also directed health facilities to set up “designated cooling areas” for heat-related emergencies that are air-conditioned and/or well-ventilated, accessible to the public, especially pregnant women, children, the elderly, and persons with disability, and close to public transportation routes.

The cooling centers must also have access to restrooms and water, with available seating for all guests.

The agency said airconditioning operations in health facilities can be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., considered peak heat index hours. Hydration stations must also be open during the period.

The DOH earlier warned that a heat index of 33 degrees Celsius and above can result in illnesses such as cramps, exhaustion, and stroke.