PAGASA announces start of dry season

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 22) — The state weather bureau on Tuesday announced the end of the northeast monsoon, or amihan, in the country, signaling warmer and dryer days ahead.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a statement said the warm and dry season is expected to last until May.

"In the coming months, warmer temperatures are expected, and rainfall across the country will be influenced mostly by easterlies and localized thunderstorms," PAGASA said.

The agency explained the "retreat of the High-Pressure Area over Siberia" that increases air temperature over most parts of the Philippines, and the "strengthening of the North Pacific High" leading to a gradual shift in wind patterns from northeasterly to easterly, are indicators of the end of amihan.

PAGASA has advised the public to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and optimize the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption.