People take a dip in Daranak Falls in Tanay, Rizal on March 28, 2023, a few days after PAGASA declared the start of the dry season in the country. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File 

Filipinos should brace themselves for a scorching dry season, which could pose health risks, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday. 

Days after the agency declared the start of the dry season, Tarlac logged a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, the highest so far this year, PAGASA Weather Services Bureau assistant chief Chris Perez said. 

“Inaasahan [natin na] mas matataas na antas ng temperatura sa darating na Abril at Mayo,” he said in a televised briefing.

(We expect higher temperatures in May and April.)

Perez says those in Metro Manila and other parts of the country should expect temperatures to range from 25 to 38 degrees Celsius in the next two months.

Metro Manila scorches under 40 degree weather: PAGASA

Meanwhile, the peak of the heat index will be felt by Filipinos in April and May.

“Kapag ganitong panahon kasi bukod sa mataas ang temperatura, mataas din ang moisture content ng ating hangin, so yung posibleng heat index ng 37.8 ay posibleng umabot ng around 40, 41,” Perez said. 

“Hanggang 42 degrees Celsius yung aktwal na nararamdaman natin.  Kapag ganon hindi tayo kumportable, bukod sa mainit, maalinsangan,” he said.

(Aside from higher temperature, the moisture content in the air also rises, so the heat index of a 37.8-degree Celsius temperature could reach around 40, 41. The heat we actually feel could go up to 42 degrees Celsius. We no longer feel comfortable at that temperature; aside from feeling hot, we feel humid, too.) 

Perez reminded the public to take extra precaution against the heat, as prolonged exposure could be hazardous to the body.

“Kapag ganitong range ng temperature dapat talaga kung wala tayong gagawin sa labas ng bahay ay manatili lamang po lalong-lalo na sa kasagsagan ng init ng araw, that is between 12-3 in the afternoon,” Perez said. 

“Otherwise, kung hindi maiiwasan ang outdoor activity ay ugaliing sumilong from time to time, uminom ng tubig to keep themselves hydrated and as much as possible, wear light colored and thin clothes para kumportable tayo,” he said.

(At this temperature range, we should stay indoors, especially when the heat is at its peak, that is between 12 and 3 in the afternoon. If we can't avoid outdoor activities, take shelter under the shade from time to time, drink water, and wear light colored and thin clothes.)

The weather bureau said it was also expecting the delayed onset of the rainy season later in the year due to the effects of the El Nino.

“Sa ngayon mas malaki ang posibilidad na ma-delay nang bahagya [ang tag-ulan] dahil itong weakening El Niño na nakikita natin, hindi naman agad-agad na mawawala ang epekto nito once totally naging neutral na ang climate condition, so parang may lag effect na tinatawag. Once matapos itong El Niño, not necessarily na tag-ulan agad or something like that,” Perez said. 

(The rainy season could be delayed a bit because the effect of the weakening El Niño would not go away instantly once the climate condition becomes neutral. There is a so-called lag effect. Once El Niño ends, it's not automatically the rainy season.)

El Niño weakens; La Niña Watch issued

37 provinces experience drought as El Niño weakens: PAGASA