The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has identified two primary reasons why it is hotter in some areas than others.
In the “Bagong Pilipinas” interview on Thursday, April 18, PAGASA-Climatology and Agrometeorology Division (CAD) Chief Ana Liza Solis said the proximity of an area to the coast may affect the increase of the maximum daytime temperature, alongside with the so-called “urban heat island” in the urban areas, just like Metro Manila.
PAGASA said the reason why coastal areas have higher temperatures is the higher amount of relative humidity present in the coastlines, one of the factors affecting heat index.
Moreover, the urban heat island effect in cities, particularly in Metro Manila, was caused by the pavements, buildings, and other concrete that absorb and release heat to the environment.
Read: https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/18/heat-index-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-differ-from-actual-temperature
Solis said based on the April forecast, the maximum daytime temperature in Northern Luzon was expected to reach 39.7 degrees Celsius (°C), which was already exceeded on April 15 when Echague, Isabela recorded a temperature of 40°C.
The forecast 36.8°C maximum daytime temperature in Metro Manila was also exceeded on April 16, when the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City recorded a temperature of 39.6°C.
“As early as bago pumasok itong warm and dry season, sinabi ng DOST-PAGASA that this could be one of the warmest, warm and dry season months natin—mainit na tag-init dahil na rin sa ongoing El Niño (Prior to the official declaration of the warm and dry season, DOST-PAGASA said that this could be one of the warmest warm and dry season months—hot season, also due to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon),” she said.
Solis said Metro Manila, most of Luzon, and parts of Visayas and Mindanao including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City, and other Maguindanao areas will experience higher maximum temperatures.
Meanwhile, she said lower actual air temperature and humidity will be expected in mountainous Mindanao, lowland Visayas, and upland Luzon, especially in Baguio City.