Metro Manila sizzles at 35 degrees Celsius

The summer heat continued to sizzle across the country, with Metro Manila reaching 35 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said this temperature was recorded at 4 p.m. at its Science Garden in Quezon City.

Forecaster Malou Rivera said other parts of the country also experienced extreme heat with Tuguegarao City recording 36 degrees, Cabanatuan City recording 35.8 degrees, and General Santos City recording 34.6 degrees.

On April 18, Metro Manila experienced its hottest day so far with a record 36.2 degrees.

The heat index is expected to exceed 39 degrees over the weekend and surrounding areas.

The head index, or the human discomfort index, is defined as the temperature apparently felt by the body not only based on the air temperature but the relative humidity as well.

In its advisory on Thursday, the state weather bureau warned that this is expected to go up to 39.9 degrees in Metro Manila on Friday, 39.4 degrees on Saturday and 39.8 degrees on Sunday.

A heat index ranging from 32 to 41 degrees means a possibility of heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

The “danger” threshold is when the heat index hits 41 degrees and above, since heat cramps and exhaustion are more likely while heat stroke is probable with continued activity.

The country is currently experiencing a mild El Niño with slightly warmer than average air temperatures likely to be felt except for mountain regions in Luzon and Mindanao.

The state weather bureau said most of the country would receive way below to below normal rainfall, except for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. SM