Temperature hits 38ºC in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila sizzled yesterday as the temperature rose to a sweltering 38 degrees Celsius, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pagasa weather forecaster Joel Jesusa said yesterday’s temperature was the hottest recorded so far this year, surpassing the 37.5 degrees Celsius recorded last May 19.

Jesusa said the temperature was recorded at the weather bureau’s Science Garden in Quezon City at 2:10 p.m.

He said Filipinos would continue to feel the sweltering heat in the next few days since rains are not expected until next month.

“Rains will likely come in June. We no longer expect a temperature higher than 38.0 degrees Celsius for Metro Manila,” Jesusa said.

However, he said convective clouds have brought light rains over some parts of the metropolis in the past few days, giving residents a break from the summer heat.

The weather bureau recorded the warmest temperature in Metro Manila at 38.5 degrees Celsius in Quezon City on May 14, 1987.

Pagasa said the highest temperature recorded in the Philippines was at 42.2 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao City on May 11, 1969.