By Brian Campued
At least 16 areas across the country will continue to experience scorching temperatures as heat indices are expected to reach “danger” level on Sunday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its daily heat index forecast updated 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, the state weather bureau said that heat index may reach as high as 44°C in La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, the following areas may experience 42°C to 43°C:
- Sangley Point, Cavite City, Cavite — 43°C
- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan — 43°C
- Aborlan, Palawan — 43°C
- San Ildefonso, Bulacan — 42°C
- San Jose, Occidental Mindoro — 42°C
- Cuyo, Palawan — 42°C
- Daet, Camarines Norte — 42°C
- Legazpi City, Albay — 42°C
- Virac (Synop), Catanduanes — 42°C
- Masbate City, Masbate — 42°C
- Juban, Sorsogon — 42°C
- Iloilo City, Iloilo — 42°C
- Dumangas, Iloilo — 42°C
- Catarman, Northern Samar — 42°C
- Butuan City, Agusan del Sur — 42°C
In Metro Manila, heat indices under the “extreme caution” category (33°C to 41°C) are expected, with as high as 41°C to be recorded at PAGASA’s weather station in Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and 40°C at the Science Garden in Quezon City.
Based on the weather bureau’s latest monitoring, Puerto Princesa City and Butuan City both sizzled at 45°C this Saturday, recording the highest heat index for the day.
According to PAGASA, heat index is the measure of the temperature the human body feels relative to humidity. The “danger” category consists of heat indices between 42°C and 51°C.
It also warned the public of the effects of prolonged exposure to extreme heat temperature—such as fatigue, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Meanwhile, in its daily weather update, PAGASA said that Caraga, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the easterlies.
The easterlies will also prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The frontal system, on the other hand, will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over Batanes.
-jpv
