MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The country’s dry season, or what many Filipinos call summer, is officially underway.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Friday, March 20, that it has terminated the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan.

The termination of the northeast monsoon signals the start of the dry season.

“The gradual shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly over most parts of the country due to the establishment of the high pressure area over the northwestern Pacific Ocean signifies the termination of the northeast monsoon and the start of dry season,” PAGASA said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

“The day-to-day weather across the country will gradually become warmer, though isolated thunderstorms are also likely to occur,” it added.

With hotter days ahead, the state weather bureau advised the public “to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and optimize the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption.”

PAGASA also gave an assurance that despite the “enhanced community quarantine” enforced in Luzon due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, it will continue to monitor the day-to-day weather and the long-term climate of the country. – Rappler.com