Dagupan City in Pangasinan recorded the highest heat index in the country at 49 degrees Celsius (ºC) on Tuesday afternoon, April 6, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur also recorded a high heat index at 41ºC at around 11 a.m.
PAGASA defines heat index as a human discomfort index that gives the "apparent" temperature or what a human perceives or feels as the temperature affects the body.
It is at least three to four degrees Celsius higher than the actual air temperature.
A heat index between 41℃ and 54℃ is under what the PAGASA considers as "danger" level due to the high likelihood of heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
PAGASA also revised its list of the top five stations with the highest heat index values so far in 2021.
As of April 5, the top five highest heat index values were recorded in Port Area, Manila (48℃, March 19); Sangley Point, Cavite (48℃, March 18); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (46℃, April 1); Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (45℃, March 15); and Ambulong, Batangas (44℃, March 18).