A day after the State weather bureau announced the onset of the dry season in the Philippines, Dagupan City in Pangasinan saw the hottest day so far in 2022 as it recorded a sizzling heat index of 53 degrees Celsius (°C) on Thursday, March 17.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Dagupan City, Pangasinan has recorded a heat index of 53°C at 5 p.m. on March 17. This outranked the previously declared highest heat index of 51°C last March 6, 2022 which was also recorded in Dagupan City.
According to PAGASA, heat index or “human discomfort index” is the “apparent” temperature that humans perceive.
A heat index of 52°C and above is “extremely dangerous,” while heat indices between 42°C to 51°C is under what PAGASA considers as the “danger” level due to its high likelihood of causing heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
Among the so far highest heat indices recorded in 2022 were logged in the following PAGASA stations: Dagupan City, Pangasinan (53°C, March 17); Central Luzon State University Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (47°C, March 16); Catbalogan, Western Samar (46°C, March 1); Juban, Sorsogon (44°C, March 16); and Virac, Catanduanes (44°C, March 16)
“Hanggang maaari po ay limitahan natin ang outdoor activities. Kung hindi naman po maiiwasan ay huwag kalimutan ang pananggalang sa init ng araw. Kung magiging matagal po ang activity outdoors ay ugaliin po natin na magkaroon ng break at huwag kalimutan uminom ng tubig. light-colored na damit upang maiwasan ang mga panganib na maaaring maidulot ng init sa ating kalusugan (As much as possible, limit outdoor activities. If it cannot be avoided, do not forget to use sun protection. If the outdoor activity will be done for a long time, let us make it a habit to have a break and do not forget to drink water. Wear light-colored clothing to avoid the dangers that heat can pose to our health),” said PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda in a public weather forecast.