Several parts of Bohol experienced isolated rainshowers on Wednesday due to a localized thunderstorm amid a potential dry spell in the province, the state weather bureau said.

The localized and isolated rains only lasted for 30 minutes to an hour, said Leonard Samar, OIC of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Bohol.

“Ang localized thunderstorm, og single cell ra na siya, ang iyang lifespan 30 minutes to an hour. Dili ra pud na siya molapas og 1 hour,” said Samar.

According to Samar, the coverage of the rains was not widespread as most thunderstorms only have a radius of five kilometers.

Despite the rains, Samar said that Bohol is expected to officially be under a dry spell condition by the end of May.

PAGASA defines a dry spell as at least three consecutive months of 21 to 60 percent reduction in rainfall.

“Ang dry spell is tulo ka buwan below normal ang atong rainfall. Mao na gikan sa March, April then May below normal man atong rainfall mo nang tulo ka buwan mao base sa forecast mapaubos ta sa dry spell,” said Samar.

The dry spell however is not forecast to continue until June.

“Inig June, mo-normal na atong rainfall. Pero buot ipasabot na normal na rainfall pero ang actual condition ana dili pa g’yud mabalik sa normal ang atoang mga kabasakan ug kaumahan,” he added.

Meanwhile, the weak El Niño affecting the country is seen to persist until the end of the year.

Samar said that heat index could soar to up to 40 degrees Celsius in the next days.

“Ang atong forecast heat index diri sa Bohol mo abot ta sa 38 to 40 [degrees] na mabati nato,” said Samar.

Pagasa defines heat index as the “human discomfort” index. (A. Doydora)