Despite some rains, several locations still experienced intense heat, with heat index values reaching "dangerous" levels at 14 PAGASA monitoring stations (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) stations on Sunday, May 21.
The heat index is the measurement of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.
According to PAGASA, 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)
Based on PAGASA’s data, the stations with “dangerous” heat index levels recorded on Sunday were in Aparri, Cagayan (46°C); Masbate City, Masbate (44°C); Roxas City, Capiz (44°C); Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (44°C); Baler, Aurora (43°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte (43°C); Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (42°C); Catarman, Northern Samar (42°C); Catbalogan, Western Samar (42°C); Clark Airport, Pampanga (42°C); Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (43°C); Iba, Zambales (42°C); and Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (43°C).
PAGASA recorded the highest heat index in the country so far this year on May 12 in Legazpi City, Albay at 50°C.