Easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, will continue to affect a large part of the country, bringing hot and humid conditions along with isolated to scattered rain showers in some areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, April 27.

PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said the easterly winds are affecting Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and are expected to persist in the coming days.

“Sa mga susunod na araw, easterlies pa rin ang makakaapekto sa malaking bahagi ng bansa (In the coming days, the easterlies will continue to affect a large part of the country),” Aurelio said.

He added that there is no low-pressure area or tropical cyclone within or near the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of Monday.

Aurelio said most parts of Luzon will experience generally fair weather, with sunny conditions prevailing for much of the day.

Temperatures are expected to remain high, especially during the late morning and afternoon, resulting in hot and humid conditions.

Meanwhile, Aurelio said a slight relief from the heat is expected in the eastern section of the country, including Eastern Samar, Samar, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, and Surigao del Norte, as they may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

On Sunday, April 26, several areas recorded high heat index levels, with Dumangas, Iloilo and Guiuan, Eastern Samar both reaching 45 degrees Celsius.

Sangley Point in Cavite and Cuyo, Palawan logged 44 degrees Celsius.

In Metro Manila, the heat index ranged from 40 to 41 degrees Celsius, based on PAGASA’s monitoring at the NAIA station in Pasay City and Science Garden monitoring station in Quezon City.

For Monday, PAGASA forecasts similarly high heat index values, with Dumangas, Iloilo again likely to reach 45 degrees Celsius, while Sangley Point, Cavite may hit 44 degrees Celsius.

Iloilo City and La Granja in La Carlota, Negros Occidental are expected to reach up to 43 degrees Celsius.

Metro Manila is projected to continue experiencing heat index levels between 40 and 41 degrees Celsius, indicating persistent discomfort and potential health risks from prolonged exposure to heat.

Aurelio advised the public to limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours, stay hydrated, and remain alert for possible thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon or evening.

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