The computed heat index values in Dagupan City, Pangasinan and Sangley Point, Cavite reached 48 degrees Celsius (°C) on Friday, May 28, amid the prevalence of the warm easterlies originating from the Pacific Ocean.
Based on the monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the top 17 stations that logged "dangerous" heat index values are the following:
Dagupan City, Pangasinan (48°C, 2 p.m.)
Sangley Point, Cavite (48°C, 11 a.m.)
Ambulong, Batangas (47°C, 2 p.m.)
Aparri, Cagayan (47°C, 11 a.m.)
Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (44°C, 2 p.m.)
Iba, Zambales (44°C, 11 a.m.)
Masbate City, Masbate (44°C, 1 p.m.)
Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City (44°C, 2 p.m.)
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (44°C, 2 p.m.)
Casiguran, Aurora (43°C, 2 p.m.)
Cubi Pt., Subic Bay, Olongapo City (43°C, 2 p.m.)
Clark Airport, Pampanga (42°C, 2 p.m.)
Davao City, Davao del Sur (42°C, 1 p.m.)
Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (42°C, 2 p.m.)
Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (41°C, 11 a.m.)
Port Area, Manila (41°C, 2 p.m.)
Science Garden, Quezon City (41°C, 2 p.m.)
A heat index above 40℃ is considered "dangerous" due to the high likelihood of heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
So far, the highest heat index in 2021 was registered in Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 53℃ on May 14.
Meanwhile, the low pressure area (LPA) being monitored by PAGASA remains outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) or at 1,615 kilometers east of Mindanao at around 3 p.m., said PAGASA weather specialist Raymond Ordinario.
He said the LPA may enter the PAR by Sunday but has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression as of this time.
However, PAGASA is not yet ruling out the possibility that it may develop into a cyclone in the next few days because the condition in the Pacific Ocean is still favorable for a tropical cyclone development, Ordinario pointed out.
"Usually may isang bagyo na dapat mabuo at dumaan malapit sa eastern section ng Luzon upang mag-trigger sa rainy season (there is a cyclone that will form and pass near the eastern section of Luzon that will trigger the onset of rainy season), especially on the western side of Luzon including Metro Manila," Ordinario said in the PAGASA's weather bulletin.
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"Patuloy pa rin ang maiinit at malinsangan na panahon sa Sabado pero mas magiging madalas na ang formation ng thunderstorm clouds kaya ang isolated rain showers at thunderstorms na ang mamayani lalo na pagdating sa hapon o gabi especially on the western side of Luzon (The hot and humid weather will continue on Saturday but the formation of thunderstorm clouds will be more frequent therefore isolated rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail especially in the afternoon or evening especially on the western side of Luzon," he added.