Philippines' summer season may start this week

Cebu City, Philippines — The summer season may begin this week, according to a forecast from the state weather bureau. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Mactan (Pagasa-Mactan) announced on Tuesday, March 18, that the northeast monsoon winds, known as amihan, are weakening. Weather specialist Jhomer Eclarino explained that the amihan is expected to dissipate soon. This change will mark the official start of the hot dry season. Eclarino mentioned that we are currently in a transition period before summer begins, during an OpenLine Forum. As summer approaches, meteorologists urge the public to take precautions against rising temperatures. A high heat index can lead to heat cramps and exhaustion. The heat index measures how the temperature feels when combined with humidity. It is often called the "apparent temperature" and helps assess the effects of heat on the human body.