The extreme heat that affected various regions of the country in April led to six synoptic stations operated by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to register their highest temperatures ever.

PAGASA-Climatology and Agrometeorology Chief Ana Liza Solis said the stations that recorded their all-time high temperatures were Clark, Pampanga (39.1°C on April 29); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (39.2°C on April 22); Casiguran, Aurora (38.1°C on April 24); Sangley Point, Cavite (38.7°C on April 25); Malaybalay, Bukidnon (37.5°C on April 25); and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Pasay City (38.8°C on April 27).

These stations’ previous record-high temperatures were 37.1°C in Clark, Pampanga on April 10, 2019; 39°C in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on April 20 and 25, 2020; 38°C in Casiguran, Aurora on May 21, 1987; 38.5°C in Sangley Point, Cavite on May 16, 1987; 36.4°C in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on April 15, 2016; and 38.2°C in NAIA, Pasay City on April 18, 2024.

While six stations surpassed their all-time high temperatures in history, three other stations broke their all-time high records for the month of April.

These stations were Maasin, Leyte (36.5°C on April 25), Science Garden, Quezon City (38.2°C on April 27), and Catbalogan, Samar (37.6°C on April 30).

PAGASA said mean surface air temperatures were “generally slightly above to way above average” across most parts of the country in April.

Meanwhile, it forecasts surface air temperatures to be slightly below average to warmer than average throughout the country in May.

The forecast temperature ranges are as follows: 23⁰C to 38.3⁰C over Metro Manila; 15.2⁰C to 29⁰C in the mountainous areas of Luzon; 19⁰C to 40.8⁰C for the rest of Luzon; 21.4⁰C to 37.5⁰C in the Visayas; 16.1⁰C to 36.3⁰C over the mountainous areas of Mindanao and 21.4⁰C to 38.3⁰C over the rest of Mindanao. 

El Niño weakening, La Niña developing

PAGASA said the intense heat in the country can be attributed to the warm and dry season, which is exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon.

“PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the waning El Niño and the developing La Niña and its effect on the local climate,” it said in its May advisory.

The rainfall forecast for the month indicates that below-normal rainfall conditions are likely across most parts of Luzon and the Visayas, while near-normal conditions are expected mostly in Mindanao and the northern portions of Luzon. 

However, PAGASA said the probability of below-normal conditions remains high. 

In addition, 23 provinces in Luzon, 15 provinces in the Visayas, and nine provinces in Mindanao are potentially facing meteorological drought conditions.

Seven provinces are at risk of experiencing dry spells, and eight provinces may encounter dry conditions.

PAGASA said although El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean continues to weaken, its impacts such as hotter and drier conditions persist. 

A transition to ENSO-neutral conditions is expected from April-May-June to May-June-July 2024.

However, there is a 60 percent chance of La Niña developing during the June-July-August 2024 season.