MANILA, Philippines - Temperatures in Metro Manila reached 35.5 degrees Celsius as of 3:30 p.m., which is the highest ever recorded in the National Capital Region this year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday.

A report on the PAGASA website said several Philippine cities could also experience warmer weather in the next 24 hours including Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija (22-35 degrees), Catbalogan, Western Samar (25 to 34 degrees), General Santos, South Cotabato (23 to 35 degrees) and Kidapawan, North Cotabato (23 to 34 degrees).

PAGASA operations chief Nathaniel Cruz earlier warned that Northern Luzon provinces may suffer from sweltering heat of up to 40 degrees Celsius from May to June.