By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz The air temperature in Metro Manila reached 35.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday afternoon, making it the hottest day so far in the metropolis since the start of the hot and dry season. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) registered the 35.6 degrees Celsius air temperature in its Science Garden monitoring station in Quezon City around 1:50 p.m. The hot afternoon can be attributed to the prevalence of the warm and humid easterly winds affecting the whole country on Sunday. The public should avoid exposure under direct sunlight from 12 noon to 5 p.m., which is usually the hottest time of the day, over the next couple of days. Based on PAGASA’s weather forecast, maximum temperatures for Metro Manila and Tuguegarao City will likely reach 35 degrees Celsius from March 29 to 31. Air temperatures will be slightly higher at 36 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila and Tuguegarao City by April 1. It is expected that air temperatures across the country may go higher as the hot and dry season progresses. PAGASA said the easterly winds originating from the Pacific will be the prevailing weather system across the country throughout most of the week. The weather bureau advised the public to take extra precautions during severe thunderstorms that could possible occur in the afternoon or evening. It has not issued a gale warning on Sunday, thus fisherfolk and seafarers are safe to sail. However, they should remain alert due to moderate to rough seas across Northern Luzon. The rest of the country will have slight to moderate seas.