Warm and humid weather will prevail across the country throughout the Holy Week, the weather bureau said yesterday.

From Wednesday to Sunday, the “whole archipelago will experience warm and humid conditions, with the possibility of localized rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening due to the easterlies,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather division chief, Juanito Galang, said in a special weather outlook for Semana Santa.

Pagasa urged the public to limit outdoor activities from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to avoid fatigue, heat cramps, and exhaustion.

The public is also advised to drink water regularly, take breaks in shaded areas, and wear light-colored clothes.

Pagasa earlier predicted 43 to 44 degrees Celsius heat indices or what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air, in several areas in Cavite, Metro Manila, Batangas, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Isabela, Mindoro, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Data from Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando showed the heat index could peak at 42 degrees Celsius in several areas in Pangasinan and Tarlac on Holy Wednesday, April 16.

On Maundy Thursday, April 17, several areas in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Bulacan are also forecast to experience a 42 degrees Celsius heat index.

Under danger level or 41 to 51 degrees Celsius heat indices, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely.

Continued exposure could also cause heat stroke.

Meanwhile, Pagasa expects the frontal system to continue causing scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over Cagayan Valley, Apayao, and Aurora on Tuesday, April 15.

On the same day, the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with a chance of brief rain showers or thunderstorms, mostly in the eastern section. (PNA)