STATE weather bureau PAGASA officially declared the start of the dry season, signaling hotter days ahead.

This meant the end of the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan over most parts of the country.

“The shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly due to the establishment of the High Pressure Area (HPA) over the Northwestern Pacific signifies the termination of the Northeast Monsoon over most parts of the country and the start of the dry season,” a statement issued by PAGASA.

Likewise, PAGASA said that the extreme Northern Luzon may still possibly experience occasional northeasterly winds.

“With this development, the day-to-day weather across the country will gradually become warmer, though isolated thunderstorms are also likely to occur,” PAGASA added.

State weather forecasters said that the public should be health conscious to help ease the heat stress.