Occidental Mindoro has emerged as a hotspot in the country’s intensifying heat crisis, with San Jose municipality recording temperatures of 36.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, signalling the potential arrival of a severe summer season.

While the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has not yet officially declared the onset of summer, the country is already experiencing dangerous heat indexes across Metro Manila and Luzon provinces.

PAGASA has reported alarming temperature readings, with heat indexes soaring to 45 degrees Celsius in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, and reaching 46 degrees in Science Garden, Quezon City and Clark Airport, Pampanga.

The situation is expected to worsen, with Nueva Ecija projected to experience a heat index of 49 degrees on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

The extreme temperatures have prompted immediate responses from local governments.

Several cities in the National Capital Region, including Valenzuela, Caloocan, Malabon, and Las Piñas, have suspended face-to-face classes for various school levels.

The heat wave is not limited to Luzon.

On February 26, Coron, Palawan, experienced a heat index of 45 degrees, exhibiting the widespread nature of the extreme weather conditions.

Meanwhile, PAGASA reports that easterlies are currently affecting the entire country, bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.

The eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao are expected to experience moderate to rough coastal waters due to moderate to strong winds.

The weather bureau warns of potential flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms, adding another layer of complexity to the erratic weather conditions.

Residents are advised to take precautions, stay hydrated, and follow local government advisories during this period of extreme heat.