PAGASA: Hot weather in PH not caused by ‘equinox phenomenon’

Rojas said the dry season will still be experienced until the end of May, but thunderstorms are expected to happen on the second-half of the month, particularly during the afternoon and night. (File photo: Avito C. Dalan/PNA)

It is not true that the “equinox phenomenon” is causing the hot weather that Filipinos are currently dealing with, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, May 8.

In a radio interview with DZMM, PAGASA weather forecaster Ariel Rojas said the high temperature in the country is due to a high pressure area and easterlies.

“Ang equinox na sinasabi kung saan ang araw ay nakatapat sa equator nangyari na po ‘yan nung March 20 (The so-called equinox wherein the sun is facing the equator already occurred last March 20),” Rojas explained.

“So ngayon po ay Mayo na at tayo po ay nasa gitna na ng ating tag-init so wala na pong epekto, hindi na po mangyayari ang equinox. Ang susunod pong equinox ay sa Setyembre pa (So currently it is May and we are in the middle of the dry season so it won’t have an effect, the equinox will no longer happen. The next equinox will be on September),” he added.

The weather bureau on Thursday debunked viral social media claims that the “equinox phenomenon” will happen in the next five days” and that people should stay inside their homes, especially from 12 noon to 3 p.m. daily, as the “temperature will fluctuate to 40 degrees Celsius.”

https://www.facebook.com/PAGASA.DOST.GOV.PH/posts/2794123250697566

PAGASA then shared infographics about equinox and heat wave, as well as tips on what the people should do during the dry season.

“Maging mapanuri sa mga nababasang posts o natatanggap na mensahe para maiwasan ang pagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon (Be mindful of the posts you are reading or messages you are receiving to prevent the spread of false information),” the bureau told the public.

Rojas said the dry season will still be experienced until the end of May, but thunderstorms are expected to happen in the second half of the month, particularly during the afternoon and night.