Peak heat indices above 42ºC forecast in 27 areas

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MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-seven areas are forecast to reach “danger” to “extreme danger” level peak heat indices on Tuesday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Based on Pagasa’s latest computed heat index forecast, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, is expected to reach an “extreme danger” level peak heat index at 52ºC.

READ: Guiuan, Eastern Samar hits ‘extreme danger’ heat index for 2nd day

Should it do so, this would mark the third consecutive day the municipality hit the “extreme danger” heat index.

Meanwhile, other areas, such as Metro Manila, are expected to hit “danger” level heat indices, with Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City forecast to reach 42ºC.

Pagasa defines heat index as the “measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”

Once it ranges from 42ºC to 51ºC, the state weather bureau automatically tags it as part of the “danger category” due to the increased risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.

If it reaches 52ºC and above, Pagasa defines it as part of the “extreme danger” category, which already means heat stroke is imminent.

Below is the list of areas forecast to record a heat index of or above 42ºC in descending order:

• Guiuan, Eastern Samar – 52ºC
• Tacloban City, Leyte – 45ºC
• Maasin, Southern Leyte – 45ºC
• Cotabato City, Maguindanao – 45ºC
• Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 44ºC
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – 44ºC
• IVU Echague, Isabela – 44ºC
• Catarman, Northern Samar – 44ºC
• Borongan, Eastern Samar – 44ºC
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte – 44ºC
• Aparri, Cagayan – 43ºC
• Virac (Synop), Catanduanes – 43ºC
• Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental – 43ºC
• Catbalogan, Samar – 43ºC
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte – 43ºC
• Surigao City, Surigao del Norte – 43ºC
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur – 43ºC
• Naia Pasay City, Metro Manila – 42ºC
• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – 42ºC
• MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte – 42ºC
• Bacnotan, La Union – 42ºC
• NVSU Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya – 42ºC
• Iba, Zambales – 42ºC
• Legazpi City, Albay – 42ºC
• Panglao International Airport, Bohol – 42ºC
• Mactan International Airport, Cebu – 42ºC
• Siquijor, Siquijor – 42ºC