Expect hotter days ahead as April sizzles

WELCOME RESPITE Children and adults take a dip in the swimming pool to beat the summer heat. —RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Sunday said temperatures would continue to rise in Metro Manila and the rest of the country in the coming days.

As of 2 p.m. on Sunday, Pagasa said Catbalogan, Samar, recorded the highest temperature at 35.5°C.

Tuguegarao, Cagayan, and Clark, Pampanga, both recorded temperatures of 35°C.

In Metro Manila, the area surrounding Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City recorded 34.9°C, although weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said it was not representative of Metro Manila since the area was hotter due to the prevalence of cement, construction and smoke from airplanes.

More representative of Metro Manila is the Science Garden Complex in Quezon City, Aurelio said.

The Science Garden recorded a temperature of 34.3°C on Sunday afternoon.

However, Pagasa also earlier said that the heat index was usually higher than the recorded temperature.

Pagasa defines heat index as the “human discomfort” index, more commonly known as “init factor.”

Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by up to 8 C, the weather bureau said.

The heat index at Sangley Point in Cavite reached 45.1°C — the highest recorded on Saturday afternoon.

Rising heat index

Pagasa said that with a heat index between 41°C and 51°C, heat cramps and heat exhaustion were “likely,” while heat stroke was “probable, with continued activity.”

The heat index in Naia as of Saturday afternoon was 40.8°C, while the Science Garden recorded a temperature of 37.2°C.