The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said 25 areas may still experience a heat index that is considered “dangerous” on Thursday, May 9.
PAGASA warns that a dangerous heat index ranges from 42°C to 51°C, which means a person is more likely to experience heat-related issues like cramps and exhaustion and a higher chance of heat stroke with continued activity.
On Thursday, heat indices in Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Virac, Catanduanes; and Roxas City, Capiz, may reach as high as 45°C.
Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan, and Cuyo in Palawan may have a heat index of 44°C, while Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Mariano Marcos State University Station, Batac, Ilocos Norte; Bacnotan, La Union; Dumangas, Iloilo; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar may have a heat index of 43°C.
Meanwhile, a 42°C heat index may be recorded in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Station, Pasay City; Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Iba, Zambales; Clark Airport, Pampanga; Central Luzon State University Station, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Cubi Pt., Subic Bay, Olongapo City; San Jose, Occidental, Mindoro; Legazpi City, Albay; Masbate City, Masbate; Central Bicol State University of Agriculture Station, Pili, Camarines Sur; Mambusao, Capiz; Iloilo City, Iloilo; and Catarman, Northern Samar.
The only area in Mindanao that may experience a dangerous heat index of 42°C is Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.
Iba, Zambales recorded the highest heat index this year at 53°C on April 28.
Weather update
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said Batanes and Babuyan Islands may experience cloudy weather, scattered rain showers, and thunderstorms due to the frontal system—a weather system in which warm and cold air merge.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms.