The hot and dry season has kicked in after months of cool weather brought in by the “Amihan,” the state weather bureau reported.

A High Pressure Area (HPA) over the Northwestern Pacific caused a shift in wind direction from northeasterly to easterly, bringing an end to the Northeast Monsoon or “Amihan” and ushered in the warm and dry season for most parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a press release.

Filipinos can expect progressively higher temperatures, with some thunderstorms on occasion. The extreme northern portion of Luzon may sometimes experience cooler weather due to northeasterly winds, however.

The weather bureau advised the public to take the necessary steps to mitigate heat stress and ensure efficient personal and domestic water usage.