The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Palawan is experiencing high temperatures, with heat index readings in Coron and Puerto Princesa City hitting a sweltering 42°C, the highest predicted in the nation for Wednesday, March 19.
The same high heat index was observed in Zamboanga City, PAGASA weather specialist Rhea Torres said.
“Yung heat indices naman for Coron, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, gayun din sa Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, ay maaaring umabot ng 42°C which is yung pinakamataas na possible na maitala ngayong araw sa buong bansa,” Torres said.
She said Palawan’s high heat index is a result of a pattern of high temperatures; on Tuesday, both areas also recorded 42°C.
With temperatures expected to reach 40°C, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, and Cotabato City are among the other locations with high heat indices. A heat index of 36°C to 37°C is predicted for Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, the country is experiencing varied weather conditions due to the effects of the northeast monsoon (amihan), a shear line, and easterlies.
A shear line is bringing rain to the eastern sections of the Visayas and parts of the Bicol Region. PAGASA warns of possible flooding and landslides in these areas due to the expected rainfall.
Easterlies, warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, are causing rainy weather in the eastern sections of Mindanao.
The amihan continues to affect Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with rains to the eastern sections of the island, including Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Aurora, Quezon, and most of the Bicol Region. Sorsogon and Masbate may experience scattered rain showers or thunderstorms.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated light rains or drizzles.
Eastern Visayas and neighboring provinces, including Aklan and Capiz, are also expected to experience rainy weather due to the shear line. The Caraga and Davao regions in Mindanao will have rainy weather due to the easterlies.
The rest of Visayas and Mindanao, including Palawan, will have partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with a high chance of isolated thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon or evening.
PAGASA has issued a gale warning for the western seaboards of Ilocos Norte and the seaboards of Ilocos Sur, advising against venturing out to sea, especially for those with small sea vessels.
Moderate to rough seas are expected in the seaboards of Central Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon.
