The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, March 14 said most areas in the country will have hot weather along with possible light rains. 

In PAGASA’s 4 a.m. live broadcast, weather specialist Benison Estareja said the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean known as easterlies will cause the hot conditions.

“In Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao, iwasan lumabas ng bahay as much as possible from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. dahil ito iyong time kung saan pinakamainit ang mararamdaman ng ating katawan, at laging uminom ng tubig para stay hydrated at maiwasan iyong heat stroke and heat exhaustion at kung hindi maiiwasan lumabas ng bahay ay magdala ng panangga sa init kagaya ng sumbrero at payong (In Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao, avoid going out as much as possible from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as this is when the body will experience the hottest heat index, and always stay hydrated to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and when it is necessary to go out, bring hat and umbrella),” Estareja said. 

He added that hot weather will also continue in Metro Manila, Bicol Region, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, especially during noon, with minimal chances of isolated rains.

Meanwhile, Estareja said the northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan,” may weaken in the next three days, as the warm easterlies will continue to affect parts of the country. 

The State weather bureau is expected to declare the onset of the "dry and warm" season by the third week of March.

PAGASA said from March 15 to 17, the actual air temperatures in some key areas are as follows: Metro Manila (25°C to 32°C); Baguio City (15°C to 23°C); Legazpi City (24°C to 32°C); Davao City (24°C to 33°C); Cebu City (25°C to 32°C); Iloilo City (25°C to 32°C); Tacloban City (24°C to 32°C); Cagayan de Oro (25°C to 31°C); and Zamboanga  (25°C to 34°C).

PAGASA warned Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte about potential flash floods or landslides caused by moderate to heavy rains. 

Over the next 24 hours, expect cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the shear line, where cold northeasterly winds and warm easterlies meet. 

In Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region, cloudy skies with light rains will be felt, while Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the amihan.