Hot weather. INQUIRER FILES / STOCK IMAGE
MANILA, Philippines — The April 16 heat index is projected to hit between 42 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees Celsius in 24 areas nationwide, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
Dagupan City in Pangasinan province may experience the highest heat index for Tuesday at 46 degrees Celsius, followed by Aparri, Cagayan, at 43 degrees Celsius and Aborlan, Palawan; Roxas City, Capiz; Iloilo City, Iloilo; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, at 43 degrees Celsius.
Pagasa said temperatures of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius fall under the “danger category and may bring about heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
READ: Pagasa: Hotter parts of Luzon likely due to HPA’s ridge
Based on the state weather agency’s forecast bulletin, danger category heat indices on Tuesday may be felt in the following areas:
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City – 42 degrees Celsius
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – 42 degrees Celsius
- Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 46 degrees Celsius
- Aparri, Cagayan – 44 degrees Celsius
- Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – 42 degrees Celsius
- Isabela State University Echague, Isabela – 42 degrees Celsius
- Clark Airport, Pampanga – 42 degrees Celsius
- Central Luzon State University Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – 42 degrees Celsius
- Baler, Aurora – 42 degrees Celsius
- Casiguran, Aurora – 42 degrees Celsius
- Sangley Point, Cavite – 42 degrees Celsius
- Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas – 42 degrees Celsius
- Coron, Palawan – 42 degrees Celsius
- San Jose, Occidental Mindoro – 42 degrees Celsius
- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – 42 degrees Celsius
- Aborlan, Palawan – 43 degrees Celsius
- Virac, Catanduanes – 42 degrees Celsius
- Masbate City, Masbate – 42 degrees Celsius
- Central Bicol State University of Agriculture – Pili, Camarines Sur – 42 degrees Celsius
- Roxas City, Capiz – 43 degrees Celsius
- Iloilo City, Iloilo – 43 degrees Celsius
- Dumangas, Iloilo – 42 degrees Celsius
- Catarman, Northern Samar – 42 degrees Celsius
- Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur – 43 degrees Celsius
READ: Heat index of ‘danger category’ seen in 13 areas for April 15
Pagasa defines heat index as “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes to abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”
Currently, Pagasa’s heat index classification system consists of four categories:
- Caution: 27 to 32 degrees Celsius
- Extreme Caution: 33 to 41 degrees Celsius
- Danger: 42 to 51 degrees Celsius
- Extreme Danger: 52 degrees Celsius and beyond
Pagasa advised the public to prevent the effects of high heat by limiting the time spent outdoors; drinking plenty of water; avoiding tea, coffee, soda, and liquor; using umbrellas and hats and wearing sleeved clothing outdoors; and scheduling heavy-duty activities on the cooler periods of the day.