Pagasa: 39 areas to hit ‘danger’ level heat indices on Thursday

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MANILA, Philippines—Despite the onset of the rainy season in the country, 39 areas are still forecast to reach “danger” level peak heat indices on Thursday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

READ: Pagasa declares official start of rainy season

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

Pagasa automatically tags it as part of the “danger category” once it ranges from 42ºC (degrees Celsius) to 51ºC due to the increased risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke.

Based on Pagasa’s latest computed heat index forecast, 47ºC is expected to be the highest peak heat index recorded nationwide on Thursday, specifically in Aparri, Cagayan and Baler, Aurora.

Meanwhile, in Metro Manila, the peak heat index at and around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City is forecast to hit 42ºC.

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

• Aparri, Cagayan – 47ºC
• Baler (Radar), Aurora – 47ºC
• ISU Echague, Isabela – 46ºC
• Casiguran, Aurora – 46ºC
• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – 45ºC
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – 45ºC
• Virac (Synop), Catanduanes – 45ºC
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte – 45ºC
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar – 45ºC
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur – 44ºC
• Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 44ºC
• MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte – 44ºC
• Bacnotan, La Union – 44ºC
• Sangley Point, Cavite – 44ºC
• Catarman, Northern Samar – 44ºC
• Catbalogan, Samar – 44ºC
• Tacloban City, Leyte – 44ºC
• Ambulong, Tanauan Batangas – 43ºC
• Infanta, Quezon – 43ºC
• Alabat, Quezon – 43ºC
• Daet, Camarines Norte – 43ºC
• CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur – 43ºC
• Borongan, Eastern Samar – 43ºC
• Maasin, Southern Leyte – 43ºC
• Naia Pasay City, Metro Manila – 42ºC
• Calapan, Oriental Mindoro – 42ºC
• Masbate City, Masbate – 42ºC
• Juban, Sorsogon – 42ºC
• Roxas City, Capiz – 42ºC
• Mambusao, Capiz – 42ºC
• Iloilo City, Iloilo – 42ºC
• Dumangas, Iloilo – 42ºC
• Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental – 42ºC
• Panglao International Airport, Bohol – 42ºC
• Mactan International Airport, Cebu – 42ºC
• Siquijor, Siquijor – 42ºC
• VSU-Baybay, Leyte – 42ºC
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte – 42ºC
• Cotabato City, Maguindanao – 42ºC