Catarman, Northern Samar logs 45℃ heat index on March 31
Heat values in 4 more areas reach 'danger level'
Published Mar 31, 2023 11:43 am
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) station in Catarman, Northern Samar recorded the highest heat index observed in the country on Friday, March 31.
The heat index in the area reached 45 degrees Celsius (℃) around 12 p.m.
Four other stations, which include Dagupan City, Pangasinan (42℃); NAIA Pasay City, Metro Manila (42℃); Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (41℃); and Mactan International Airport, Cebu (41℃) also recorded heat indexes within the “danger level.”
According to PAGASA, a heat index between 42℃ and 51℃ would be considered within “danger level,” as heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible.
It added that continued activity could lead to heat stroke.
Meanwhile, PAGASA's two other monitoring stations in Metro Manila—Science Garden in Quezon City and Port Area in Manila—recorded 38°C and 37°C heat index respectively on Friday.
PAGASA advised residents to observe “extreme caution” when heat indexes reach 32°C to 41°C, as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible” and “continuing activity could result in heatstroke.”
PAGASA recorded this month’s highest heat index of 47℃ in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, on March 25.
In the next 24 hours, Mindanao will have cloudy weather with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the easterlies or the warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean.
The rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant as there could be flooding or landslides during severe thunderstorms.
Sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusts of wind, and sometimes hail, often accompany severe thunderstorms, it added.