The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) declared the start of the dry season on Wednesday.

In an interview with Pagasa Weather Specialist Veronica Torres, the declaration of the start of the dry season was caused by the termination of the northeast monsoon or amihan over most parts of the country.

"The declaration of the dry season was also caused by the change in wind direction from the northeast to the easterlies due to the presence of high pressure areas in the northwestern Pacific," Torres added.

Pagasa added that despite the dry season, occasional localized thunderstorms are expected throughout the country.

It expects a maximum temperature of 33 to 34 degrees Celsius and a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius throughout the dry season. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS