RP sizzles at 38ºC

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Metro Manila, Baguio City and Tuguegarao, Cagayan experienced last April 6 the hottest temperatures of the year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa weather forecaster Chris Perez said the temperature in Metro Manila reached 36.1 degrees Celsius yesterday, surpassing the 35.8 degrees Celsius recorded on March 6.

Perez said the hottest temperature was recorded at the Pagasa Science Garden in Quezon City at 1:50 p.m.

In Baguio City, the mercury rose to 28.4 degrees Celsius, Perez said, while in Tuguegarao, temperature was recorded at 38 degrees Celsius.

“So far these are the hottest temperatures of the year,” Perez said in a phone interview.

Perez advised the public to brace for hotter days ahead as temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days.

“We usually experience the hottest days during the months of April and May,” he said.

Pagasa said the prevailing El Niño phenomenon is causing the temperatures to rise, with temperatures in Metro Manila likely to reach 35 to 36 degrees Celsius this week.

Meanwhile, Perez said most parts of the country will experience partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers in the next three to four days.

Wind convergence will affect Mindanao which will bring mostly cloudy skies and isolated rains in the area, he said.