MUST-HAVE. Umbrellas protect pedestrians from the punishing heat in Caloocan City on Monday (April 29, 2024). The actual temperature in Metro Manila is forecast to average between 36.5 and 38.3 degrees Celisus in May. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – High temperatures will continue over parts of the country in May, with Northern Luzon forecast to reach up to 40.8°C.
During the inter-agency updates on the government's El Niño response aired on PTV Monday, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said 31.5 to 40.8 degrees temperatures are forecast in Northern Luzon.
Lowlands of Luzon, he said, could experience 31.7 to 39.8 degrees temperatures, while mountainous Luzon's temperatures could reach 26.3 to 29 degrees.
The temperatures in Metro Manila could reach 36.5 to 38.3 degrees.
Solidum said in lowland Visayas, temperatures could range from 32.5 to 37.5 degrees.
In lowland Mindanao, temperatures could range from 33.4 to 38.8 degrees, and from 34 to 36.3 degrees in mountainous Mindanao, he said.
"In terms of the meteorological impact of El Niño, we could see the extreme effects due to high temperatures, lesser rainfall," Solidum said.
He, however, noted that the impacts of El Niño have been mitigated because of government preparations.
"The effects (of El Niño) on water supply, agriculture, electricity, and health, were reduced because of science forecasts and the early implementation of solutions by the government," he said.
Solidum also urged the public to help the government by conserving water.
Meanwhile, Analiza Solis, weather bureau's climate monitoring chief, said El Niño in 2023 to 2024 is "one of the worst".
Solis said high temperatures were also recorded during El Niño in 2015 to 2016 and 1997 to 1998.
"The impact of El Niño was bigger in 1997 to 1998. It's because (the country) is more prepared now and interventions are in place," Solis said.
Solidum said temperatures will lower in June.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast 10 to 13 tropical cyclones in the country from May to October.
"If La Niña occurs during the last quarter, then most of these (cyclones) will (hit the country) in the second half of the year," Solidum said. (PNA)
