Heat index to hit ‘danger’ threshold on Good Friday — Pagasa

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned that Metro Manila’s heat index on Good Friday could hit the danger threshold and reach as high as 42°C. — File photo

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s heat index on Good Friday could hit the danger threshold and reach as high as 42°C, according to the state weather bureau.

In a public weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Grace Castañeda said Metro Manila’s heat index could range around 40°C  to 42°C.

A heat index of 42°C falls well within the so-called “danger” threshold, as it may cause “heat cramps, heat exhaustion,” and even “heat stroke with continued exposure.”

READ: 19 areas record `danger category’ heat indices on Maundy Thursday

But Castañeda said the country’s highest heat index on Friday may be recorded by their monitoring stations in Isabela and Cavite.

“Ang highest naman po na heat index forecast natin for today ay 43°C dito naman sa ISU Echague, Isabela at sa Sangley Point Cavite,” she said.

(The highest heat index forecast for today is 43°C here in ISU Echague, Isabela, and in Sangley Point, Cavite.)

Below is a complete list of areas that could experience a “dangerous” heat index on Friday based on Pagasa’s data:

Naia, Pasay City, Metro Manila – 42°C

Aparri, Cagayan — 42°C

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan — 42°C

ISU Echague, Isabela — 43°C

Baler, Aurora – 42°C

Iba, Zambales – 42°C

Cubi Pt., Subic Bay, Olongapo City – 42°C

San Ildefonso, Bulacan – 42°C

Sangley Point, Cavite – 43°C

Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas—42°C

Infanta, Quezon – 42°C

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro — 42°C

Roxas City, Capiz – 42°C

Dumangas, Iloilo – 42°C

Catarman, Northern Samar – 42°C

Cotabato City, Maguindanao – 42°C

With this, Castañeda urged the public to avoid continued sun exposure and, as much as possible, use sun protection when going outdoors.

“Huwag natin kalilimutan ang pananggalang natin sa init ng araw [at] hangga’t maaari ay iwasan natin ang continuous activity lalo na sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw. From time to time, magpahinga po tayo. Magbaon at ugaliin po natin ang pag inom ng tubig para maiwasan natin ang panganib na maaaring maidulot ng init ng panahon sa ating kalusugan,” she said.

(Let’s not forget to protect ourselves from the heat of the sun [and] as much as possible, let’s avoid continuous activity, especially under the sun. From time to time, let’s take a break. Let’s get used to drinking water so that we can avoid the dangers that the heat of the weather can cause to our health.)

Pagasa announced the onset of the dry season in the Philippines on March 26, signaling the expected arrival of hot and humid weather across the country.