Tuguegarao sizzles at 38.5ºC

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau recorded yesterday the hottest day in the country so far this year at 38.5 degrees Celsius.

Mario Palafox, senior weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the warmest weather was recorded in Tuguegarao City at 2 p.m. yesterday.

Meanwhile, some light rains brought slightly cooler weather in Metro Manila yesterday at 33.6 degrees Celsius, lower than the 36.0 degrees Celsius recorded last Monday.

Palafox said the rains in some parts of Metro Manila were brought by the easterly wind, the system that brings warm weather.

He said they expect the early onset of the rainy season anytime next week.

He added that normally the rainy season, particularly in areas located along the western section of the Philippines, starts during the third week of May.

Palafox attributed the possible early arrival of the southwest monsoon – the prevailing wind system during the wet season – to the lingering effects of the La Niña phenomenon.

La Niña refers to the unusual cooling of the sea surface temperature commonly associated with excessive rainfall.

Palafox also said that one or two tropical cyclones are likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month based on Pagasa records.