By Alexandria San Juan
Cloudy skies with rainshowers will prevail over most parts of the country Saturday due to localized thunderstorms, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In its latest weather update issued on Friday, PAGASA said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers are expected over Metro Manila and most parts of the country this weekend due to localized thunderstorms.
While localized thunderstorms are expected to bring rainshowers in the country, PAGASA added that the public will still experience warm winds as the ridge of high pressure area (HPA) extends over the eastern section of Luzon.
According to PAGASA, the ridge refers to the extended part of HPA or an anticyclone.
When this weather system prevails, formation of clouds is usually suppressed, producing less chance of rains.
Despite rainshowers brought by thunderstorms, heat indices continue to reach "dangerous" level in some areas across the country.
On Thursday, PAGASA recorded the highest heat index of 46.8 degrees Celsius (°C) at their monitoring station in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
The latest heat index in Guiuan is slightly lower than the 51.7°C in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on April 9, the highest heat index recorded so far this year.
The state weather bureau defined heat index as the "apparent" temperature or what humans 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.
Heat indices of 41°C to 54°C was described by PAGASA as "dangerous," meaning heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, and a heat stroke is probable with continued activity.
Apart from Dagupan City, dangerous heat indeces were also recorded in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte (42.2°C); Catbalogan, Eastern Samar (42.2°C); Clark Airport, Pampanga (42.9°C); Cotabato City, Maguindanao (43.6°C); Cuyo, Palawan (43.4°C); Daet, Camarines Norte (43.5°C); Davao City, Davao Del Sur (42°C); Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte (43.4°C); Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (42.5°C); Infanta, Quezon (43.2°C); Legaspi City, Albay (41.6°C); Mactan International Airport, Cebu (41.2°C); Masbate City, Masbate (44.7°C); Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (41.9°C); Roxas City, Capiz (44.8°C); Sangley Point, Cavite (44.2°C); Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte (41.9°C); Tayabas City, Quezon (43.4°C); Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur (43.2°C).