Start avoiding sun exposure between 12 noon and 3:30 p.m. — PAGASA

Although summer is not due yet to officially start this week, state weather forecasters on Thursday advised Filipinos to start seeking shade from the hot sun, especially between noon and 3:30 p.m. PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said direct exposure to the fierce heat from the sun at this time may involve a risk of heat stroke. "Nasa pagitan ito ng 12 to 3:30 p.m. [ang pinakamainit]. Kung wala tayong masyadong ginagawa, mas mainam mag-stay sa loob ng bahay," Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said temperatures in Metro Manila have been rising, with the forecast temperature for Thursday between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius. But he said the 32 degrees is assuming one is taking shelter from the sun. Direct exposure may have the equivalent of up to 35 degrees, he said. "Yung maximum temperature na 32.1 degrees Celsius mararanasan kung tayo ay nakasilong. 'Pag direktang tinatamaan, dadagdag pa tayo ng 2 to 3 degrees," he said. Quitlong also advised the public to always bring a bottle of water to prevent dehydration. In the meantime, he said the start of summer may not come until next week or the second week of March. "Hindi pa tayo nagte-terminate ng amihan, baka next week or second week ng March," he said. Meanwhile, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said easterlies, or warm winds from the east, are affecting the eastern section of the country. "The whole country will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms particularly over Eastern Visayas and the regions of CARAGA and Davao," it said. — LBG/KG, GMA News