The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, March 7 said most of the country will continue to experience warm weather.

In the PAGASA’s 4 a.m. live broadcast, weather specialist Benison Estareja advised the public to stay hydrated because the heat index is two degree higher than the actual air temperature.

“For the rest of Luzon, iiral pa rin ang mainit na panahon dulot ng easterlies (For the rest of Luzon, hot weather will still prevail due to the easterlies),” Estareja said.

“Iyong heat index dito sa may parteng Visayas ay posibleng umabot sa 41 kabilang na dyan ang mga lugar dito sa Iloilo at sa probinsya ng Eastern Samar, Samar, and Leyte kaya paalala sa ating mga kababayan, uminom ng maraming tubig or stay hydrated (The heat index in parts of Visayas may reach 41 including areas in Iloilo, province of Eastern Samar, Samar, and Leyte, that is why a reminder for our fellowmen—drink more water or stay hydrated),” Estareja added.

He also advised the public to avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., or bring an umbrella if necessary.

“Sa ating mga kababayan sa malaking bahagi ng bansa from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. iwasan muna po na lumabas ng bahay pero kung hindi po maiwasan ay magsuot ng komportableng damit at magdala ng pananggalang sa init ng panahon kagaya ng lamang ng sumbrero at  payong (To our fellow citizens in huge part of the country, refrain going out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but if it not possible, wear comfortable clothes and bring protection from heat of the sun like hat and umbrella),” he said.

PAGASA said from March 8 to 10, the actual air temperatures in some key areas are as follows: Metro Manila (23°C to 34°C); Baguio City (15°C to 25°C); Legazpi City (24°C to 32°C); Davao City (24°C to 33°C); Cebu City (24°C to 32°C); Iloilo City (24°C to 32°C); Tacloban City (24°C to 33°C); Cagayan de Oro (23°C to 32°C); and Zamboanga  (24°C to 34°C).

Moreover, Estareja reiterated that the surge of the northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan” will not have the same strength like it was in early January and February.

“Madalas na magiging epekto ng amihan, itong incoming surge, ay mayroon lamang bahagyang paglakas ng hangin, pagtaas ng mga pag-alon, kung may mga pag-ulan man ay dito lamang sa may Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, and Bicol Region (Often, the effects of amihan, the incoming surge, will be slight strengthening of winds, heightening of waves, if there will be rains, it will only occur in Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, and Bicol Region),” he noted.

Meanwhile, in the next 24 hours, PAGASA said Batanes will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to amihan.

In Metro Manila and the rest of the country, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be felt due to the easterlies, or the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, and localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned of flash floods or landslides in affected areas during severe thunderstorms.

PAGASA has yet to declare the start of the warm and dry season in the country.