Seventeen locations across the country experienced “dangerous” heat indices on Thursday, May 11, based on the monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
PAGASA observed the highest heat index, or temperature as perceived by the human body, on Thursday in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur at 45 degrees Celsius (°C).
A heat index ranging from 42°C to 51°C indicates impending “danger,” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely,” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity,” PAGASA said.
(PAGASA)
Other areas that registered dangerous heat indices on Thursday were Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (44°C); Clark Airport, Pampanga (43°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Iba, Zambales (43°C); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (43°C); Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas (42°C); Aparri, Cagayan (42°C); Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (42°C); Cotabato City, Maguindanao (42°C); Dauis, Bohol (42°C); Legazpi City, Albay (42°C); Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City (42°C); Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (42°C); Roxas City, Capiz (42°C); Sangley Point, Cavite (42°C); and Tacloban City, Leyte (42°C).
Based on PAGASA’s data, the highest heat index recorded since March 1, 2023, was 49℃ on April 16 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said the entire country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the prevalence of the intertropical convergence zone and localized thunderstorms.
The public is advised to exercise caution during severe thunderstorms, as these may trigger landslides or flash floods, especially in areas that are vulnerable to these hazards.