The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, April 23 said the country will continue to experience hot weather, with little to no chance of significant rainfall over the next two to three days.
PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia said that while most of Luzon and the Visayas will generally see clear skies, parts of Mindanao, particularly in the southern portion, will be affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
The ITCZ, a weather system formed by the merging of winds from the northern and southern hemispheres, is expected to bring light to moderate rain showers over Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi within the next 24 hours.
The rest of Mindanao may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with localized rain showers.
Meanwhile, no widespread rain or localized thunderstorms are anticipated in Luzon and Visayas due to the prevailing easterly winds.
Easterlies are warm winds originating from the Pacific Ocean and are typically associated with hot and humid weather.
Dela Cruz-Galicia also noted that over 20 areas may record heat indices within the danger category, ranging from 42°C to 51°C, in the next two days.
These heat levels can pose serious health risks such as heat cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke with prolonged exposure.
From Thursday to Friday, April 24 to 25, the ITCZ will continue to affect southern Mindanao, particularly Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, where scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected.
Meanwhile, the easterlies will persist in the rest of the country and continue to bring dry and humid conditions.
Dela Cruz-Galicia added that either an easterly wave or the ITCZ may bring scattered rains to the eastern sections of Mindanao by Saturday, April 26, and expand to most parts of the region by Sunday, April 27.
Thunderstorms also become more likely in Southern Luzon and the Visayas due to the continued influence of the easterlies.