By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Despite rains over some parts of the country, warm weather continues as heat indices in 18 monitoring stations nationwide have reached “dangerous” levels on Thursday, with Guiuan, Eastern Samar registering the highest heat index of the day at 50.8 degrees Celsius around mid-Thursday.
A surfer watches the sunset at a beach in San Juan, La Union. According to the report, the state weather bureau declared the start of dry season in the country. (CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded the highest heat index on Thursday in Guiuan, followed by Ambulong, Batangas (46.2 degrees Celsius); Dagupan City in Pangasinan (45.3 degrees Celsius); Roxas City in Capiz (45.1 degrees Celsius); Sangley Point in Cavite (44.3 degrees Celsius); Cuyo, Palawan (43.1 degrees Celsius); El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental (42.8 degrees Celsius); San Jose City in Oriental Mindoro (42.6 degrees Celsius); NAIA in Pasay City (42.4 degrees Celsius); Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (42.3 degrees Celsius); Cotabato City in Maguindanao (42 degrees Celsius); Subic Bay in Olongapo City (42 degrees Celsius); Iba, Zambales (42 degrees Celsius); Tuguegarao City in Cagayan province (41.9 degrees Celsius); Alabat, Quezon (41.7 degrees Celsius); Casiguran, Aurora (41.2 degrees Celsius); Masbate City (41.2 degrees Celsius); and Daet, Camarines Norte (41.0 degrees Celsius).
Heat index is the "apparent" temperature or what human perceive or feel as the temperature affects their body.
It is a combination of air temperature and humidity, thus it is higher by at least 2 to 3 degrees Celsius from the actual air temperature reading.
With heat indices between 41 and 54 degrees Celsius, PAGASA said there is impending “danger” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity.”
Meanwhile, Legaspi City in Albay; Maasin, Southern Leyte; and Metro Manila also recorded heat indices on the 40s level at 40.6 degrees Celsius, 40.1 degrees Celsius, and 40.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
With heat indices between 32 to 41 degrees Celsius, PAGASA advised residents to observe “extreme caution” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible” and “continuing activity could result to heat stroke.”
If heat index is over 54 degrees Celsius, PAGASA said there is “extreme danger” as “heat stroke is imminent.”
This Friday, PAGASA expects the frontal system to prevail over extreme Northern Luzon, while the easterly winds—the warm and humid air coming from the east—to prevail over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.