METRO Manila experienced its hottest day so far this year on Saturday, April 18, when the temperature peaked to 36.2 degrees Celsius.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the maximum temperature recorded last Saturday at its Science Garden in Quezon City surpassed the previous day’s maximum temperature of 35.9 degrees.
A group of children frolic in Manila Bay along Navotas to beat the summer heat. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
This week, the weather bureau urges the public to take “extreme caution” against heat cramps and exhaustion as the heat index is expected to reach above 38 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.
The heat index, also called the human discomfort index, refers to the temperature apparently felt by the body based not only on the air temperature but also on the humidity.
Last Saturday, when the temperature reached a maximum 36.2 degrees, PAGASA calculated the maximum heat index at 38.8 degrees.
PAGASA warned that in Metro Manila, the heat index could reach up to 38.9 degrees on Monday, April 20 and 38.4 degrees on Tuesday, April 21.
The temperature would be higher in Cagayan Valley and in the Ilocos region.
The heat index in Tuguegarao City could reach up to 38.7 degrees on Monday and up to 39.1 degrees on Tuesday.
In Laoag City, the heat index could reach up to 38.4 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, the weather bureau said.
In other key cities, the maximum heat index in the next two days would range between 35 and 37 degrees, except in Baguio City where the maximum heat index is expected to reach up to 25.3 to 25.6 degrees.
PAGASA said a heat index of 32 to 41 degrees would require “extreme caution” since heat cramps and heat exhaustion could happen to anybody in this temperature and continued activity could result in heat stroke.
The “danger” threshold is when the heat index breaches 41 degrees, according to PAGASA, since heat cramps and exhaustion are likely and heat stroke is probable with continued activity.
PAGASA said the weak El Niño affecting the country would likely continue until the middle of the year and strengthen toward the end of the year.
In April, most of the country will experience way below to below normal rainfall.
The exceptions are the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, CARAGA and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao as well as the provinces of Catanduanes, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Sarangani, which will receive near to above normal rainfall, PAGASA said.
Most of the country will experience “slightly warmer than average” air temperature, while the mountainous areas of Luzon and Mindanao will have “slightly cooler than average” air temperature. SFM/AC