Hot! Hot! hot!: Clark area heat index hits 50°C

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index at the Clark International Airport area in Pampanga reached a dangerous and scorching  50°C on Monday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

In its latest bulletin, the state weather bureau added that Dagupan City in Pangasinan experienced a 47°C heat index while Virac in Catanduanes had it at 46°C

Twenty nine other areas also reached a heat index under the “danger” category at 42 to 51°C.

Pagasa said this level would likely cause heat cramps and exhaustion, while heat stroke is probable with continued heat or sun exposure.

The US National Weather Service defines heat index or apparent temperature as “what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.” 

Six areas at 45°C:

• Aparri, Cagayan 45
• Iba, Zambales 45
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro 45
• Cuyo, Palawan 45
• Roxas City, Capiz 45
• Iloilo City, Iloilo 45

Six areas at 44°C:

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Baler, Aurora
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Aborlan, Palawan

17 areas at 42 to 43°C:

• Naia, Pasay City (43°C)
• Science Garden, Quezon City (42°C)
• Sinait, Ilocos Norte (42°C)
• MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte (42°C)
• ISU Echague, Isabela (43°C)
• CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (42°C)
• Casiguran, Aurora (43°C)
• Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Olongapo City (43°C)
• Alabat, Quezon (42°C)
• Dumangas, Iloilo (43°C)
• Catarman, Northern Samar (43°C)
• Catbalogan, Samar (42°C)
• Tacloban City, Leyte (42°C)
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (43°C)
• Davao City, Davao del Sur (42°C)
• Cotabato City, Maguindanao (42°C)
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (42°C)