While it already felt like summer, as most "heat indices"—the apparent temperature perceived or felt by a human body—were also under "extreme caution," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, March 7, that the warm and dry season has not yet begun.

In a press conference on the updates on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), or a “recurring climate pattern” that involves variations in the water temperature in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang said what has been felt is not the “official” warm season. 

“Officially, hindi pa talaga tag-init, hindi pa natin dinedeclare na terminated na iyong northeast monsoon, but sa nakikita natin based sa discussions with climatology divisions, nakikita natin within two weeks from now (Officially, it is not summer yet, we haven’t yet announced the termination of the northeast monsoon, but as we see based on the discussions with climatology divisions, within two weeks from now),” Galang said. 

“The warm and dry season will commence in March,” PAGASA also said in an advisory. 

Moreover, PAGASA-Climatology and Agrometeorology Division (CLIMPS) Officer-in-Charge Ana Liza Solis said the actual air temperature currently experienced is warmer than the previous year. 

“Kung ikukumpara natin ang ngayong January, February, March, medyo mas mainit po ngayon kaysa last year (If we compare thus year’s January, February, and March, slightly it is warmer than last year),” Solid said. 

“As early as February nakapagtala tayo ng more than 36°C or 37°C as early as now, so it could be warmer than usual, but hindi naman natin masasabing buong taon, ito pong warm and dry season months ang sinasabi natin ay maaaring mainit na tag-init (As early as February, we recorded more than 36°C or 37°C as early as now, so it could be warmer than usual, but we cannot say that it will persist the whole year, what we say is that the warm and dry months may be a hot summer season),” she added. 

In addition, “below-average to warmer-than-average” surface air temperatures will be expected in most of the country in March including Metro Manila (20°C to 36°C), the mountainous areas of Luzon (12°C to 26°C), rest of Luzon (17°C to 37°C), Visayas (20°C to 36.5°C),mountainuous areas of Mindanao (14°C to 36°C), and rest of Mindanao (18°C to 37.6°C).