PAGASA declares start of dry season with high heat warnings

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, PAGASA officially declared the start of the dry season with the termination of the Northeast Monsoon over most parts of the country.

The shift from northeasterly to easterly winds due to a High Pressure Area (HPA) indicates the end of Amihan and the beginning of warmer weather conditions across the Philippines, with occasional thunderstorms still possible in extreme Northern Luzon.

State meteorologists advised Filipinos to take precautionary measures against heat stress as temperatures rise, with some areas like Tarlac and Pangasinan recording dangerous heat indexes of up to 46°C-47°C, prompting school suspensions in March.

PAGASA's Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis warned that a heat index of up to 52°C is possible by late April or May, urging the public to optimize water use for personal and domestic consumption.

Solis also advised using natural environments like tree shades instead of air conditioners and fans to minimize heat stress and stay informed through regular updates from PAGASA.

The Federation of Free Workers has called on employers to ensure that workers, especially those in outdoor and high-temperature environments, are protected from heat-related hazards as temperatures rise.