Hot and humid weather continues to grip Palawan today, with temperatures in Puerto Princesa City and the Kalayaan Island Group expected to reach up to 33 degrees Celsius, according to the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“Dito naman sa may Palawan, Visayas at Mindanao, inaasahan pa rin natin yung mga pulong-pulong pag-ulan, pagkidlat-pagkulog sa bahagi ng Palawan,” said PAGASA Weather Specialist Obet Badrina in a live update on Friday morning.
He added that Puerto Princesa and the Kalayaan Islands will experience temperatures ranging from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius, a level that may lead to heat stress or heat stroke, especially during peak hours.
Badrina warned that certain areas, including Cuyo in Palawan, experienced dangerous heat index levels the previous day.
“Sa Tuguegarao, Subic, at Cuyo, Palawan, 41 to 42 degrees Celsius,” he reported, referring to the recorded heat index on March 27.
“Ibig sabihin, posible po yung mga heat stress at heat stroke dulot ng mainit na panahon,” he said.
No gale warning has been raised in any part of the country, including Palawan, making sea travel generally safe.
Meanwhile, a low-pressure area (LPA) being monitored east of Surigao del Sur is unlikely to develop into a tropical cyclone but may still bring rain over parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Base pa rin sa pinakahuling datos natin, maliit yung tsansa na maging bagyo pa rin itong low-pressure area. At dahil malapit na rin sa kalupaan, nakikita natin na mas malaki yung tsansa na ito ay malusaw na lalong-lalo na this coming weekend,” Badrina said.
As the LPA moves westward, cloudy skies and scattered rains are expected over Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and parts of the Bicol Region. Residents are advised to prepare for possible flash floods and landslides in these areas.
The heat is expected to persist nationwide following the official end of the northeast monsoon.
In Dagupan City, the highest heat index yesterday reached 47 degrees Celsius, while other areas like Aparri, Virac, General Santos, Tuguegarao, and Subic also reported dangerous heat levels.
