THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Davao Region noted this month's hottest temperature at 35.5 degrees Celsius at 3 p.m. on May 12.
Pagasa-11 weather specialist Paz Rosas said the 35.5 degrees Celsius is serious and is the hottest temperature this month. She added that the relative humidity of this temperature was at 48 degrees Celsius, which can cause heatstroke or heat injury.
The weather bureau also recorded the hottest temperature at 33.7 degrees Celsius in January, 34.7 degrees Celsius in February, 35.7 in March, and 35.6 in April. Rosas said the normal temperature is at 33-34 degrees Celsius.
As of May 30, Wednesday, the weather bureau recorded a temperature at 33 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and this does not mean it is going on a downtrend as the month of May is still about to end, and the weather is unpredictable.
Pagasa earlier said that the warmest month in the country will be May with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius. And the heat index will likely reach 40 degrees Celsius that will also lead to rain showers aside from heat injury.
With this, Rosas reminds the public to refrain from staying long hours under the heat of the sun from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid heatstroke. She added that it is best to keep hydrated and bring umbrella/coat whether it will rain or not.
As to the heavy downpour, Rosas said, this was developed due to the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and local thunderstorm which affects the entire Mindanao and the Palawan in Luzon, as well, lasting for about a week.
