By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Twenty areas in the country are set to experience dangerous heat index levels, according to the 5:00 p.m. forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, May 4.
Two of these—Dagupan City, Pangasinan and Virac, Catanduanes—are expected to experience temperatures as high as 44°C.
Other locales across the country bound to experience sweltering heat are as follows:
- Sinait, Ilocos Sur – 43°C
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – 43°C
- MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte – 42°C
- Bacnotan, La Union – 42°C
- Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – 42°C
- Iba, Zambales – 42°C
- TAU Camiling, Tarlac – 42°C
- Aborlan, Palawan – 42°C
- CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur – 42°C
- Mambusao, Capiz – 43°C
- Iloilo City, Iloilo – 42°C
- Dumangas, Iloilo – 42°C
- VSU-Baybay, Leyte – 42°C
- Borongan, Eastern Samar – 43°C
- Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur – 42°C
- Surigao City, Surigao del Norte – 42°C
- Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur – 42°C
- Butuan City, Agusan del Norte – 43°C
PAGASA defines heat index as the measurement of the temperature felt by the human body in conjunction with humidity. The “danger” category consists of heat indices between 42°C to 51°C.
The state weather agency also warns the public of the effects of prolonged exposure to such high temperatures, which may include dehydration, fatigue, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said that it is monitoring two low pressure areas (LPAs) outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin, weather specialist Daniel James Villamil described the track of both weather systems, with LPA 05a last located 1,265 km east of northeastern Mindanao and LPA 05b last located 2,770 km east of northeastern Mindanao.
The former is unlikely to develop into a tropical cyclone, while the latter has a higher potential of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next few days.
Villamil noted the prevalence of easterlies nationwide, “For Metro Manila and the rest of the country, asahan pa rin natin na magpatuloy itong mainit at maalinsangang panahon. Sasamahan lamang iyan ng biglaan at panandaliang pag-ulan na dulot ng localized thunderstorms.”
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