Metro Manila temperature hits 37.3ºC

MANILA, Philippines - The mercury touched 37.3 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila yesterday, the hottest recorded so far this year, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded the maximum temperature at the agency’s facility in Quezon City at 3 p.m. yesterday.

Nathaniel Cruz, deputy administrator, said temperatures are expected to further rise in the next few days. In Metro Manila, temperatures are likely to go up to 38 degrees Celsius, he said.

Cruz said the weather agency might declare a heat wave in Metro Manila as temperatures surpassed the mean maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius in the past three days.

 “If the temperature continues to go up beyond 34 degrees Celsius, we will issue an advisory warning the public of the hot weather,” Cruz told The Star.

The World Meteorological Organization said a heat wave occurs when the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by five degrees Celsius.

The Pagasa spokesman also warned the public, particularly political candidates, to avoid long exposure to sunlight especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

He urged the public to seek shelter from a tree, or used umbrella or canopy to avoid direct sunlight.