The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday, June 1, that it will no longer issue heat index updates.
PAGASA Forecasting told the Manila Bulletin in a phone interview that it has stopped updating the 5-day computed and 2-day forecast due to the declaration of the rainy season.
The state weather bureau announced the onset of the country’s rainy season on May 29.
READ: It's official: PAGASA declares start of rainy season
While the issuance of heat index updates and forecasts will stop, PAGASA said that its monitoring will continue.
This information, PAGASA said, will be available on its Automatic Weather Station Heat Index which can be accessed on its website.
Since 2024, PAGASA recorded the highest heat index in the country in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, on May 26 and 28.
READ: Guiuan, E. Samar hits highest heat index for second time
The area logged 55 degrees Celsius (°C), which falls under the "extreme danger" classification, where heat stroke is "imminent."
In Metro Manila, meanwhile, the highest heat index was recorded at NAIA in Pasay City on April 24.
It reached 46 °C, indicating that heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, while heat stroke is probable with prolonged heat exposure.