Pagasa: Wednesday hottest so far at 34.5 degrees, but...

Source: GMANEWS
The hottest day of the year so far was recorded Wednesday afternoon at 34.5 degrees Celsius, but state weather forecasters expect even hotter days ahead.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecaster Elvie Enriquez said the 34.5-degree temperature was recorded at 1:50 p.m.

"Ang pinakamainit na naitala [ay] 1:50 p.m. So far yan ang pinakamainit ngayong summer (We recorded the hottest temperature so far this yearat 1:50 p.m. Wednesday. That's the hottest so far)," Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

In a separate interview on dzXL radio, Enriquez said they expect the temperature to go higher in the coming days during the long summer.

Enriquez advised the public to avoid exposure to the sun especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

"Inaasahan natin maaring malalampasan ngayong araw yan o maging katulad din iyan, mga 34 (We expect the temperature to go higher in the coming days, at the 34-degree range)," she said.

Pagasa's extended forecast up to March 1 showed temperatures in Metro Manila may range from 24 to 34 degrees.

Also, Enriquez said the public must at least apply protection or wear light and comfortable clothing to counter possible sunburn.

Extreme discomfort

Last weekend, Pagasa said that with the El Niño phenomenon threatening to make the coming summer, 40-degree weather in some parts of the country may be possible.

Pagasa weather bureau head Nathaniel Cruz said that in Metro Manila, temperatures may go up to 36 or 37 degrees, enough to cause extreme discomfort.

"Sa Metro Manila possible umabot 36 or 37 degrees, iyan sapat na para makaranas ng matinding init (In Metro Manila, the weather could go up to 36 or 37 degrees. That is enough to feel very hot)," he said in an interview on dzRH radio last Saturday.

The hottest temperature recorded in the Philippines was in Tuguegarao in Cagayan province on April 29, 1912.

On that day, the temperature there reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit or 42.2 degrees Celsius, according to the Weather Explained website.

"Pagdating ng Marso at Abril lalo na pag Mayo (We expect the weather to get hotter in March and April, and especially hot in May)," he added. - RSJ, GMANews.TV