By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Metro Manila's weather continued to sizzle on Tuesday afternoon, as air temperature soared to its highest so far this year at 37.3 degrees Celsius, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The capital's current temperature, which was registered at the PAGASA's Science Garden monitoring station in Quezon City, surpassed this year's previous high 36.5 degrees Celsius air temperature recorded last May 4. In 2019, the highest air temperature in Metro Manila was 36.6 degrees Celsius in April 21.
After the air temperature was factored in with the relative humidity, PAGASA said the heat index reading on Tuesday afternoon has reached 42 degrees Celsius, which was what the temperature felt like to the human body.
The 42-degree Celsius heat index that was also registered last April 29 is so far the highest in Metro Manila this year.
Based on PAGASA's historical data, the all-time high air temperature in the Philippines was recorded in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on May 11, 1969 at 42.2 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the highest recorded air temperature in Metro Manila was 38.5 degrees Celsius on May 14, 1987.
PAGASA said warm weather-associated systems will prevail around the country in the next few days.
The anti-cyclone ridge of high pressure area is extending across Northern and Central Luzon, while the warm and humid easterly winds coming from the Pacific is affecting the rest of the country.
The weather bureau said the whole country will continue to experience warm and humid weather conditions apart from isolated rain showers in the afternoon or evening due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms.