March 11, 2025
MANILA – The Philippines can expect a less intense dry season this 2025 compared to last year, according Ana Liza Solis, spokesperson and assistant weather services chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Speaking at a Palace briefing on Monday, she said hot temperatures may still be recorded but not as scorching compared to the dry season in 2024.
“Our dry season was hotter last year than it is now because we had a strong El Niño and many record-breaking temperatures and high heat indices,” Solis said in Filipino.
“Despite niyan, possible din na magkakaroon tayo ng mga matataas na heat index, mga puwedeng pumalo ng 48 [degrees celcius], 50 [degrees celcius] and iyong ating temperature na maximum daytime ay pini-predict natin na posibleng mas mataas pagdating po ng katapusan ng April or iyong first week ng May,” she continued.
“Despite that, it’s still possible that we will have high heat indices, which could reach 48[°C] and 50[°C], and our maximum daytime temperature is predicted to possibly be higher by the end of April or the first week of May,” she continued.
Solis warned that May could have temperatures ranging from 39.6 to 39.8°C.
READ: Heat index in Occ. Mindoro, Palawan to reach ‘extreme caution’ level
The state weather bureau said a heat index of up to 41°C could hit San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, and Cuyo, Palawan, on March 10.
These areas are classified under the “extreme caution” category.
According to Pagasa, this heat index level may cause heat cramps and exhaustion. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat could also lead to heat stroke.