The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that 20 locations across the country experienced dangerously high heat indices on Tuesday, May 9.
PAGASA recorded Tuesday’s highest heat index, or temperature as perceived by the human body, at 46 degrees Celsius (°C) in Ambulong Station in Tanauan, Batangas.
A heat index of 42°C to 51°C indicates imminent “danger,” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely,” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity,” according to PAGASA.
Other areas that registered dangerously high heat indices on Tuesday were Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (45°C); Sangley Point, Cavite (45°C); Legazpi City, Albay (44°C); Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City (44°C); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (44°C); Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (44°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (43°C); Roxas City, Capiz (43°C); Alabat, Quezon (42°C); Borongan, Eastern Samar (42°C); Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (42°C); Coron, Palawan (42°C); Cotabato City, Maguindanao (42°C); Dauis, Bohol (42°C); Iba, Zambales (42°C); Juban, Sorsogon (42°C); Masbate City, Masbate (42°C); and Virac, Catanduanes (42°C).
(Image courtesy of Pixabay)
Based on PAGASA’s data, the highest heat index recorded since March 1, 2023, was 49℃ on April 16 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said Batanes and Babuyan Islands will have cloudy skies and rains due to the frontal system, a weather system where cold and warm air merge.
PAGASA warned of moderate to occasional heavy rains that could cause flooding or landslides in these areas.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms due to the easterlies or warm air from the Pacific Ocean.
