A man and his two children enjoy the waters at Bustos Dam in Bulacan province. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Roxas City in Capiz and 13 other areas nationwide are expected to reach the “danger” level of heat index on Saturday, according to the state weather bureau.
The provincial capital of Capiz is seen to have the highest heat index at 45 degrees Celsius.
Areas in Panay Island also have 44 degrees Celsius, particularly in Mambusao, Capiz, Iloilo City, and Dumangas town in Iloilo.
READ: Pagasa: Summer is officially here
The weather stations in these areas—Tugegarao, Cagayan; Coron, Palawan; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Aborlan, Palawan—are also expected to report 43 degrees Celsius.
Clark, Pampanga, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate City, and Pili, Camarines Sur will experience heat indexes of 42 degrees.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila is now out of the “danger category” as it is forecasts to have 41 degrees Celsius under the “extreme caution” category.
The heat index, which ranges from 42 degrees Celsius to 51 degrees Celsius, is in the “danger” category. It could likely cause heat cramps and exhaustion, while heat stroke is probable with continued exposure to the sun.
The danger category is just before “extreme danger,” which is the highest category of heat index level, referring to temperatures of 52 degrees Celsius and beyond. Meanwhile, “extreme caution” ranges from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius, and “caution” is 27 to 32 degrees Celsius.
Heat index measures the discomfort an average person experiences due to the combined effects of temperature and air humidity.
On March 23, Pagasa also officially declared the start of the summer season, marking the end of the prevailing northeast monsoon, or amihan, which brought colder temperatures nationwide.
Also, Pagasa said El Niño still prevails nationwide, causing below-normal rainfall conditions that could bring “dry spells” or droughts in some parts of the country until the first quarter of 2024.